Indonesian game developer GameChanger Studio has released a demo version of their upcoming narrative game 1998: The Toll Keeper Story on Steam. The demo is available for a limited time only, from 24 July to 4 August 2025, and features a lightweight download size of under 2GB.
Set in the fictional country of Janapa, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story follows Dewi, a pregnant toll booth operator navigating the hardships of life during a time of national crisis. Inspired by the 1998 Asian financial crisis, the game places players in a dark and uncertain world, where social, economic, and moral pressures weigh heavily on Dewi.
The demo introduces players to the game’s core mechanics, where they must inspect vehicles, verify documents, and determine who may pass through her checkpoint. As protests erupt, prices surge, and institutional trust erodes, the player has to make decisions that directly impact Dewi’s survival and that of her unborn child.
The game also stands out visually, adopting a distinctive 1990s-inspired aesthetic. With dotted textures and a blue filter reminiscent of the era, the visual presentation enhances the game’s sombre tone and immersive atmosphere.
Based in Tangerang, GameChanger Studio is a game studio founded by Riris Marpaung and Dodick Sudirman. They are known as the developers of the My Lovely series, a set of dark fantasy simulation games that includes My Lovely Daughter, My Lovely Wife, and My Lovely Empress. The studio also developed a platformer game Ascender and published GoBlock’s Impossible Medley in 2017.
The Indonesian Anime Times
