The Creative Multimedia Centre (CMC) was established under MSC Malaysia to develop and promote Malaysia's digital creative content industry — from animation and game development to digital film and interactive media.
CMC supported four key segments of Malaysia's digital creative content industry — each representing a high-growth area where Malaysian talent and MSC Malaysia infrastructure could create globally competitive output.
Malaysia developed a growing animation industry under the MSC framework — producing 2D and 3D animated content for domestic broadcast and international licensing. CMC supported studios through grants, infrastructure, and industry development programmes.
The Malaysian game development industry grew significantly under MSC Malaysia's creative content focus — with CMC supporting local game studios through the Game Pitch competition and a range of funding and co-production initiatives. See Game Pitch for the flagship competition.
Interactive multimedia content — including e-learning courseware, educational software, and interactive installations — was a key output of CMC-supported companies, serving both domestic demand from the Smart School programme and export markets.
Digital music production, sound design, and audio post-production for multimedia formed part of CMC's creative industry focus — with Malaysian audio professionals serving the region's animation, gaming, and broadcast sectors.
As mobile penetration grew rapidly in Malaysia through the 2000s, CMC extended its focus to mobile content — including ringtones, mobile games, and wireless entertainment applications for Malaysia's rapidly expanding mobile user base.
Digital publishing, online media, and web-based creative content completed the CMC industry landscape — with Malaysian digital publishers and web creatives receiving support through CMC's ecosystem of grants, industry events, and networking programmes.
The Creative Multimedia Centre (CMC) was an MSC Malaysia initiative specifically focused on nurturing and developing Malaysia's digital creative content industry. Operating as a dedicated support unit within the MSC Malaysia framework, CMC provided resources, programmes, and industry development support to companies working at the intersection of technology and creative content.
CMC recognised that the digital creative industries — animation, game development, e-learning, and interactive media — were not just culturally significant but economically valuable export sectors. Malaysia's combination of English-language competency, technical talent, and MSC Malaysia infrastructure positioned it well to compete for regional and global creative content production.
The centre organised industry events including the flagship Game Pitch competition, which brought together local game developers with publishers and investors. It also maintained a directory of CMC-supported companies and provided a knowledge hub for the creative multimedia industry.
CMC operated under the broader MSC Malaysia framework administered by MDeC (now MDEC). For current information on Malaysia's digital creative industry support programmes, visit MDEC.
Digital creative content companies could apply for MSC Malaysia status through CMC — accessing tax incentives, pioneer status, and the full Bill of Guarantees including no duties on multimedia equipment.
CMC organised regular industry events, workshops, and competitions connecting Malaysian creative content companies with regional and global partners, publishers, and investors.
The flagship Game Pitch programme gave Malaysian game developers a platform to present concepts to publishers and secure development funding — a key accelerator for Malaysia's early game industry.
CMC engaged with international intellectual property frameworks including Creative Commons — supporting Malaysian creative content companies in understanding and utilising open licensing for their digital works.
The Creative Commons licensing framework has been an important tool for Malaysia's digital creative content industry — enabling creators to share their work with clear, standardised permissions while retaining copyright.
CMC's engagement with Creative Commons reflected MSC Malaysia's broader commitment to intellectual property protection and the legal certainty needed for digital content businesses to thrive — including the no-censorship guarantee and the Bill of Guarantees provisions on IP protection.
Creative Commons licences allow Malaysian creators to specify whether their work can be adapted, used commercially, or shared — providing clarity for users of Malaysian digital creative content both domestically and internationally.
For the full Creative Commons licence framework, visit creativecommons.org.
Allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even commercially, with credit to the original creator — the most permissive standard licence.
Allows remixing and adaptation for any purpose including commercial use, but derivative works must be licensed under identical terms — ensuring the open nature of the work continues.
Allows remixing and adaptation for non-commercial purposes, with credit to the original creator — widely used in educational and research content.
Allows redistribution, including commercially, but the work must be passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to the original creator.
CMC ran a range of programmes connecting Malaysia's digital creative industry with partners, funding, and international markets.
CMC's flagship programme for Malaysian game developers — providing a competitive platform to pitch game concepts to publishers and investors, and to access development funding and mentorship from industry professionals.
View Game Pitch →An annual gathering of Malaysia's digital creative content industry — bringing together animation studios, game developers, interactive media producers, and digital publishers with policy makers, investors, and international partners.
View Event Archive →Funding support for Malaysian creative content companies undertaking high-quality digital production — helping studios bridge the gap between development and commercial release in the competitive global creative content market.
Practical workshops for Malaysian creators on intellectual property protection, Creative Commons licensing, and content licensing for international distribution — helping CMC-supported companies protect and monetise their creative output.