An exclusive interview with Michael Kiefer, who is leading charge for SPS MLBB Mobile Masters 2025.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. recently announced that Jakarta, Indonesia will host the Snapdragon Pro Series (SPS) Mobile Masters 2025 event featuring Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB). Esports.gg sat down with Michael Kiefer, the product manager leading Mobile Masters, for an exclusive interview. Kiefer shared insights about the Jakarta esports community, the real impact of SPS Mobile Masters, and more!
SPS Mobile Masters 2025 celebrates MLBB esports in Jakarta
In his interview with esports.gg, Kiefer shared that Jakarta has a strong mobile gaming scene. He recalled attending a 2023 event there and spoke about the passionate fans at the sold-out stadium that had a maximum capacity of 3,000 people.
Even before 2023, he spent a few months in Jakarta with ESL and was struck by just how mobile gaming was everywhere and played by everyone from security guards to delivery drivers. In Jakarta, esports is simply understood as competitive gaming at the highest level without needing to specify the platform at all.
"In Jakarta, it's just esports. You don't need to clarify that this is a mobile game. [In Europe and America], we say 'Counter-Strike and Dota 2.' We're not saying 'PC esports,' and it's the same here in Indonesia or Southeast Asia in general. It's just esports. It's just gaming competitively on the highest level," he explained.
Kiefer continued, recalling the intense crowds and huge fanbase of MLBB teams like RRQ Hoshi. He remembered how the crowd's energy even triggered his Apple Watch to recommend hearing protection. To him, moments like this is why returning to the region is so important.
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How SPS Mobile Masters builds community
While the SPS Mobile Masters MLBB 2025 action takes place in Jakarta with Bahasa Indonesia as the on-site language, fans can still support the scene from home. They can catch all of the esports action on Twitch and YouTube thanks to not just an English broadcast, but also streams and co-streams in several other languages.
To Kiefer, catering to Southeast Asia’s diverse languages, offering localized streams, and working with MOONTON Games for broader outreach is key in showing folks that esports can thrive beyond regions like Europe and America.
Kiefer also told esports.gg that he believes the younger generation of gamers is becoming more and more mobile-oriented. That is, many kids are starting their gaming journeys on their cellphones. Therefore, EFG's partnership with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. lays the foundation for future professional players.
"I think it's nice for them to see we have this established tournament circuit with a lot of prestige already built up," he continued, adding that gaming is a form of modern socializing. For example, gaming nowadays goes beyond just sitting in front of a screen — it's a way to connect and reconnect with friends and family. It's also a way to meet new people.
"Maybe you [and your friend] grew up in the same city, but you went to different universities," Kiefer said. "Then you get back together because you kept in touch playing online and say, 'Hey, SPS is coming to Jakarta again with Mobile Masters. Let's go. Let's go back to our hometown and then go to the event together.' It's important for our events to become this community gathering spot."
Creating unforgettable moments in MLBB esports
Even if an attendee goes to an SPS Mobile Masters event solo, they can still enjoy the good vibes and forge new friendships. Kiefer said that on Fridays or Sundays during a final, walking into a packed arena, hearing the cheers, and watching a great play unfold is an unforgettable experience in and of itself.
"That's why I do these things," he added. "To create these unforgettable moments, I think, is what we call it at our company. You don’t even need to talk to anyone, but you can feel the energy when you see all the hard work paying off and people enjoying it."
In terms of the future, Kiefer said that mobile gaming will continue to grow — especially as younger players embrace it as their first gaming experience. He hopes MLBB will expand further into Western markets as well thanks to esports organizations such as Fnatic, Team Liquid and Team Vitality leading the way.
The SPS Mobile Masters MLBB 2025 Group Stage kicks off on April 7. After the Playoffs from April 11 to April 13, the championship-deciding match happens on April 13.
That's all for now. Which team will become the SPS Mobile Masters champion? Stick around on esports.gg for more interviews, news and updates!
