GameChanger Studio, the acclaimed Indonesian indie developer behind the My Lovely trilogy, is set to release its newest narrative simulation, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story, on October 28, 2025, for PC via Steam. Inspired by the 1998 Asian financial crisis, the game places players in the shoes of an ordinary toll booth worker caught in a storm of fear, scarcity, and moral dilemmas.
At its core, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story asks a haunting question: “What would you do in the face of crisis?”
A Story of Survival, Resilience, and Compassion
Set in the fictional nation of Janapa, players follow Dewi, a pregnant toll keeper trying to protect her family during a time of national unrest. Each day brings difficult choices — whether to uphold corrupt government policies for security or risk everything to help those in need.
Through choice-driven gameplay reminiscent of Papers, Please, every decision Dewi makes ripples through her home life and the world around her. The game highlights not just physical survival, but also emotional endurance, forcing players to weigh empathy against necessity in a crumbling society.
“This game is more than just about survival,” says Riris Marpaung, CEO of GameChanger Studio. “It’s about emotional strength — the quiet courage of ordinary people facing impossible situations.”
A Developer with a Proven Record
GameChanger Studio has earned international acclaim for its emotionally charged storytelling in the My Lovely Daughter, My Lovely Wife, and My Lovely Empress trilogy. Led by Riris Marpaung, one of the first female CEOs in Indonesia’s gaming industry, the studio is known for pushing the boundaries of narrative design and moral complexity.
Marpaung drew inspiration for 1998: The Toll Keeper Story from her own experiences as a college student during Indonesia’s financial turmoil. “We believe powerful stories are universal,” she explains. “Our themes — love, loss, morality — resonate beyond culture. Players everywhere understand them because they’re fundamentally human.”
Gameplay Highlights
- Choices Matter: Every moral decision shapes Dewi’s life and the world around her.
- Multiple Endings: The story branches based on your actions, compassion, and resource management.
- Escalating Tension: Each in-game day introduces new dangers, laws, and ethical tests.
- Resource Management: Balance limited money, food, and safety while caring for Dewi’s family.
- Distinct Visual Style: A sepia-toned art direction evokes 1990s Indonesia through textures of old newspapers and official documents.
- Social Impact: A portion of proceeds supports Indonesian Women in Game (IWIG), empowering women in the local industry.
Courage Beyond Combat
Unlike traditional survival or political games, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story isn’t about rebellion or warfare. It’s about ordinary courage — the small but profound acts of endurance and empathy that define human resilience. Through Dewi’s eyes, players witness a nation’s struggles one toll transaction at a time.
By blending realism, emotion, and moral tension, GameChanger Studio invites players to confront the quiet heroism of everyday people during extraordinary times.
1998: The Toll Keeper Story launches worldwide on Steam on October 28, 2025.
