Experience History Through the Eyes of an Ordinary Hero
Emanuela
(07. October 2025 17:34
)
Experience History Through the Eyes of an Ordinary Hero
1998: The Toll Keeper Story asks what YOU would do in the face of crisis
A Flesh Slant on Story Telling 7th October, 2025 - Today GameChanger Studio is excited to announce its upcoming emotional narrative simulation 1998: The Toll Keeper Story. The game releases worldwide on October 28, 2025 for SteamPC, drawing players into a gripping story of survival, resilience, and motherhood during a time of national crisis, inspired by the 1998 Asian financial collapse.
A Proven track record!
GameChanger Studio is one of Indonesia's most exciting game developers, best known for the My Lovely trilogy (My Lovely Daughter, My Lovely Wife, and My Lovely Empress) - a series widely recognised and praised for its emotionally powerful storytelling and inventive mechanics. The team is led by Riris Marpaung, one of the first female CEOs in Indonesia's game industry, and has earned worldwide recognition for pushing the boundaries of narrative-driven design. Their latest epic is inspired by Marpaung's experiences as a college student in Indonesia during the country's financial turbulence.
"We believe a powerful story is a universal language. The themes in our games, which include love, loss, and morality, resonate with people everywhere. The specific culture or setting is just the lens through which we tell a fundamentally human story, and our Western players have proven that they connect with that deeply."
Will you risk your job and safety to help a family in distress, or follow a corrupt rule to secure needed resources?
Struggle & controversy
1998: The Toll Keeper Story follows Dewi, a pregnant toll booth worker struggling to protect her family while navigating fear, unrest, and scarcity in the fictional nation of Janapa. The game combines choice-driven storytelling with tense "Papers-Please"-style mechanics, challenging players to balance morality, survival, and duty. Each day at the toll booth presents new dilemmas, and each choice ripples into Dewi's home life, family safety, and the lives of strangers passing through.
Your choices write Dewi's story
"This game is more than just about physical survival; it also tests emotional resilience," said Riris, CEO of GameChanger Studio. "It's a portrayal of how ordinary people must survive amid the uncertainty of security, food shortages, extreme fear, and not knowing what to do to escape such a pressing situation."
Choices Matter
Every decision shapes the story, from enforcing strict state rules to showing compassion for desperate citizens.
Multiple Endings
Your actions, resource management, and moral choices determine branching outcomes.
Daily Escalation
The crisis intensifies with each in-game day: new rules, new dangers, and new dilemmas.
Resource Management
Balance limited food, money, and safety while providing for Dewi's family.
Distinct Visual Style
Sepia-toned, late-90s inspired art direction echoing newspapers and official documents of the era.
Social Impact
A portion of the game's proceeds will support Indonesian Women in Game (IWIG).
Unlike typical survival or simulation games, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story doesn't place players in the shoes of a soldier, rebel, or leader - you're an ordinary toll keeper whose courage lies not in combat, but in endurance. You'll watch the struggles of a nation unfold, one vehicle at a time
Transitioning from fantastical stories to a more grounded, real-world inspiration, GameChanger aims to delve into a creative process they have never explored before. With 1998: The Toll Keeper Story, the goal is to deliver a message-driven experience, going beyond simply offering an exciting and enjoyable adventure.
About GameChanger Studio
GameChanger Studio, an indie game developer from Indonesia, let 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.
