How Indonesia’s 1998 Crisis Became the Tense Narrative Sim ‘1998: The Toll Keeper Story,’ Out Today!
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 3:08 pm
A Game Director’s Survivor Story: How Indonesia’s 1998 Crisis Became the Tense Narrative Sim ‘1998: The Toll Keeper Story,’ Out Today!
28th October, 2025 - GameChanger Studio's emotional juggernaut 1998: The Toll Keeper Story is available now on Steam PC for USD 11.99 / IDR 98,000 with an 18% launch discount!
Exploration of motherhood/women
A mother-to-be faces harrowing decisions, exploring the fear and uncertainty of that time in history, but at its heart, it is a story about a real woman's struggle. By telling a story about a mother-to-be doing everything for the safety of her unborn child, we tell an inspiring story of resilience and the strength of women in the face of adversity. Through this very personal journey, we aim to foster empathy and a deeper understanding of the human experience during times of profound crisis.
While Western game studios often explore socio-political themes, they remain taboo for many Asian game studios. GameChanger Studio makes a groundbreaking move by delving into Indonesia's chaotic 1998 financial crisis. The game that is not just "inspired by" history, but built by a survivor of it. The game is a deeply personal narrative simulation based on the real-life experiences of Game Director, Riris Marpaung, during the crisis. The event where she survived firsthand after being trapped between riots while trying to stay alive.
"This isn't just a game, it's my memory. I was trapped in the 1998 riots, and this game is an embodiment of that firsthand feeling of chaos and the desperate need to survive." Riris Marpaung, Game Director. "This is not a story about changing the world, it's about the profound struggle of trying to survive in a world that is changing you.”
1998: The Toll Keeper Story asks a simple, powerful question: What is it like to be an 'ant' trying to survive while the 'elephants' are fighting? In this game, you are not a hero or a soldier; you are the 'ant'—an ordinary person named Dewi, a pregnant toll keeper who is just trying to protect her family while the 'elephants' are fighting.
Real World Social Impact
GameChanger Studio also wishes to represent Dewi's struggle beyond mere fiction. GameChanger Studio plans to have 20% of the total revenue from the Artbook of 1998: The Toll Keeper Story during the first month of launch be donated to support the activities of Indonesian Women in Game (IWIG). We believe it would also be Dewi's dream to see the skills and creativity of Indonesian women channelled effectively, just as she would hope for her own daughter one day.
Don’t Miss Something Different, A True Emotional Experience
The game’s progression is tied to the escalating timeline of the national crisis.
Choices Matter!
About GameChanger Studio
GameChanger Studio, an indie game developer from Indonesia, led by Riris Marpaung, one of the few female CEOs in the Indonesian games industry. The studio gained popularity through the My Lovely trilogy: My Lovely Daughter (MLD), My Lovely Wife (MLW), and My Lovely Empress (MLE), all of which are now available on various platforms, including consoles and PC. GameChanger is known for focusing on narrative as the main appeal, while offering unique mechanics that are rarely explored by other Indonesian game developers. This combination creates a gaming experience that is not only unique but also emotionally impactful.
28th October, 2025 - GameChanger Studio's emotional juggernaut 1998: The Toll Keeper Story is available now on Steam PC for USD 11.99 / IDR 98,000 with an 18% launch discount!
Exploration of motherhood/women
A mother-to-be faces harrowing decisions, exploring the fear and uncertainty of that time in history, but at its heart, it is a story about a real woman's struggle. By telling a story about a mother-to-be doing everything for the safety of her unborn child, we tell an inspiring story of resilience and the strength of women in the face of adversity. Through this very personal journey, we aim to foster empathy and a deeper understanding of the human experience during times of profound crisis.
While Western game studios often explore socio-political themes, they remain taboo for many Asian game studios. GameChanger Studio makes a groundbreaking move by delving into Indonesia's chaotic 1998 financial crisis. The game that is not just "inspired by" history, but built by a survivor of it. The game is a deeply personal narrative simulation based on the real-life experiences of Game Director, Riris Marpaung, during the crisis. The event where she survived firsthand after being trapped between riots while trying to stay alive.
"This isn't just a game, it's my memory. I was trapped in the 1998 riots, and this game is an embodiment of that firsthand feeling of chaos and the desperate need to survive." Riris Marpaung, Game Director. "This is not a story about changing the world, it's about the profound struggle of trying to survive in a world that is changing you.”
1998: The Toll Keeper Story asks a simple, powerful question: What is it like to be an 'ant' trying to survive while the 'elephants' are fighting? In this game, you are not a hero or a soldier; you are the 'ant'—an ordinary person named Dewi, a pregnant toll keeper who is just trying to protect her family while the 'elephants' are fighting.
Real World Social Impact
GameChanger Studio also wishes to represent Dewi's struggle beyond mere fiction. GameChanger Studio plans to have 20% of the total revenue from the Artbook of 1998: The Toll Keeper Story during the first month of launch be donated to support the activities of Indonesian Women in Game (IWIG). We believe it would also be Dewi's dream to see the skills and creativity of Indonesian women channelled effectively, just as she would hope for her own daughter one day.
Don’t Miss Something Different, A True Emotional Experience
The game’s progression is tied to the escalating timeline of the national crisis.
Choices Matter!
About GameChanger Studio
GameChanger Studio, an indie game developer from Indonesia, led by Riris Marpaung, one of the few female CEOs in the Indonesian games industry. The studio gained popularity through the My Lovely trilogy: My Lovely Daughter (MLD), My Lovely Wife (MLW), and My Lovely Empress (MLE), all of which are now available on various platforms, including consoles and PC. GameChanger is known for focusing on narrative as the main appeal, while offering unique mechanics that are rarely explored by other Indonesian game developers. This combination creates a gaming experience that is not only unique but also emotionally impactful.