Empowering Southeast Asian Game Developers through Gamescom Asia

Gamescom is expanding its global presence with its Asian edition, set to take place in Singapore this October, as part of its mission to create a unified international event brand. Following the successful launch of Gamescom Latam and the return of the original trade show in Cologne, Gamescom Asia will join the lineup from October 17 to 20, marking the first year all three events will run concurrently. As the project director, Daria La Valle aims to create a platform for Southeast Asian developers to showcase their talents, with the support of Koelnmesse and the German Games Industry Association, the global owner of the Gamescom brand. La Valle, who has worked with Koelnmesse Singapore for over a decade and lived in the city-state for 15 years, began working on Gamescom Asia in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, forcing the event to be delayed and eventually pivot to an online format. Despite the challenges, Koelnmesse organized a series of webinars, known as Gamescom Asia's Games Market Bootcamp, to educate the gaming industry about the Southeast Asian market. Singapore was chosen as the location for Gamescom Asia due to its neutral ground, with English as the primary language, excellent internet connectivity, and a stable government, making it an ideal hub for the gaming industry. The event has grown since its inception, with a hybrid format introduced in 2022, featuring daily COVID testing for the 2,000 attendees. The 2023 edition saw the addition of a consumer show, with over 34,000 visitors from 67 countries and 136 exhibitors. This year, Gamescom Asia expects 40,000 attendees and over 150 exhibitors, with a focus on indie developers, who will have nearly triple the space to showcase their games. Capcom will also be participating, hosting a Street Fighter 6 esports event, and the show will feature a section for independent artists and a cosplay competition. On the B2B side, Shawn Layden will deliver a keynote address, with the conference focusing on game development, business strategies, and marketing. The event will also include activities to connect developers with publishers and investors, such as the Invest Circle speed networking session and a pitch competition. La Valle, who was recently elected to the executive committee of the Singapore Games Association, acknowledges the challenges faced by developers in the region, including localization and the fragmentation of the industry. Gamescom Asia aims to address these challenges by providing a platform for Southeast Asian developers to connect with the global gaming industry, and vice versa, with the goal of cementing its position in the region and growing the event in the future.