Hosting gamescom asia will catalyse development of Singapore‘s gaming industry and further enhance Singapore’s status as a choice destination for first-in-Asia cutting-edge business events
Singapore, 29 May 2019 – gamescom, the world’s largest computer and video games festival, will make its Asian debut (“gamescom asia”) in Singapore from 15 to 18 October 2020. This marks a major win for the video games and esports industry in
Singapore. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between STB and Koelnmesse today to mark a new partnership for the upcoming festival.
Organised by Koelnmesse and sponsored by game, the Association for the German Games Industry, gamescom has been held in Cologne, Germany annually since 2009. Over the past decade, it has grown to be the largest international games festival and Europe’s leading business platform for the games industry, with over 300,000 attendees every year. The staging of an Asian edition in Singapore is in line with Koelnmesse’s key strategy of growing its global competence in digital media and entertainment.
“gamescom is a brand with a worldwide reputation that stands for both games as the largest entertainment medium of our time, and for outstanding business opportunities. With gamescom asia, we are creating a new event in 2020 for the local games industry and gamers in one of the fastest-growing regions of the world. We are happy and excited about the first Asian edition in Singapore next year and thankful for our partners,” added Mr Felix Falk, Managing Director of game.
Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “STB started discussions with Koelnmesse two years ago to develop an Asian edition of gamescom in Singapore. There were also numerous discussions with stakeholders such as IMDA, ESG, industry associations, games developers and organisers of local gaming and esports events. Apart from adding vibrancy to our events calendar, we aim for gamescom asia to position Singapore as the natural base for the development and commercialisation of digital and gaming content, which in turn will support our digital media industry.”
gamescom asia will comprise a two-day industry gaming conference and a three-day trade and public exhibition, including esports events, emerging technologies in video games, as well as gaming workshops, meet-and-greet sessions and cosplay theatrics.
Delegates can also look forward to a launch of global titles and extensive showcase of gaming-related offerings.
Over and above the heavy schedule of events and activities, gamescom asia will be a platform for industry thought leaders, local and regional buyers, programmers, game designers and audio professionals to network, learn and exchange insights with their international counterparts. There will be business opportunities for both local and regional companies as the event will allow them to tap into the region’s flourishing and lucrative gaming market.
“The inaugural gamescom asia comes at an exciting time as we are witnessing strong growth in the Asian games market. This event will offer games companies access to new business opportunities and connect international publishers, developers and professionals with the thriving games market in the region. Industry players can also exchange knowledge, share expertise and showcase their latest games at this premier platform,” said Mr Howie Lau, Chief Industry Development Officer, Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Mr Mathias Kuepper, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Singapore, added: “This is a launch event that we are all looking forward to. The region has been hungry for a Tier One gaming event and we now have all the ingredients to successfully cater to this need. With strong partnerships with GameStart, the Singapore government, and the gaming ecosystem, we are expecting to attract over 30,000 enthusiasts and gaming industry professionals to the inaugural gamescom asia.”
gamescom asia will complement the array of games-related events in Singapore, which include Singapore ComicCon, formerly known as the Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention, and GameStart Asia, a consumer video gaming convention.
“We are happy to announce the partnership between GameStart and gamescom. GameStart will now be handing over the reins to gamescom asia, and look forward to working closely with Koelnmesse Singapore to build on the current gaming community that GameStart has established over the years. We are extremely excited for what is to come and will be gearing up in full force as consultants for the event, bringing to the community and industry a bigger and more vibrant convention,” said Ms Elicia Lee, Founder of GameStart and gaming marketing firm Eliphant.
