Gamescom Asia 2024, held from October 17th to 20th at the Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore, shattered expectations with a surge of 41,013 attendees, marking a 20% increase from last year. With over 80 speakers and stage guests, and 177 exhibitors from around the globe, this year’s edition reaffirmed Southeast Asia’s pivotal role in the gaming industry. As the premier gaming event in the region, Gamescom Asia continues to rise as a key platform for the world to witness the incredible talent, creativity, and rapid growth of Southeast Asia’s gaming ecosystem.
Industry Giants and Keynotes
The event kicked off with a keynote by industry veteran Shawn Layden, former Chairman of PlayStation Worldwide Studios, who stressed the importance of fostering creativity in the gaming industry rather than relying too heavily on blockbuster titles. His message resonated deeply with the theme of Gamescom Asia 2024—innovation and inclusivity in gaming. Singapore’s Minister of State, Alvin Tan, further highlighted the region’s growing influence, stating that Southeast Asia is now the world’s fastest-growing esports market. With key milestones like these, Gamescom Asia 2024 truly showcased how integral this region has become on the global gaming stage.
CAPCOM Takes Center Stage
CAPCOM made a powerful return with an impressive 1,000 sqm booth, which was a highlight of the event. Fans were treated to exclusive demos, including Monster Hunter Wilds and Street Fighter 6, while the highly anticipated CAPCOM Pro Tour 2024 Super Premier Singapore thrilled attendees. Shuto of Crazy Raccoon clinched the victory in an electrifying competition, further adding to CAPCOM’s dominance in this year’s event.
As part of JioPlayGame’s media access, we had the privilege of interviewing Street Fighter 6’s Director, Takayuki Nakayama, and Producer, Shuhei Matsumoto. They shared insights into the development process and how they carefully balanced collaborations with other fighting games such as Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, while maintaining the authenticity of Street Fighter’s legacy. Interestingly, they noted that SF6 is experiencing a newfound popularity in Japan, a shift from the historically Western fan base from previous instalments.
We were also honoured to sit down with Ryozo Tsujimoto, Producer of Monster Hunter Wilds, who gave us a sneak peek into the evolution of the Monster Hunter franchise, and insights behind the development and decision-making process. This time, players can expect a more personable hunter character and, for the first time, a voice for the ever-loyal Palico companion. We’ve also learned which is Ryozo-san’s favourite monster at the moment (stay tuned to our social media to find out in the video interview!).
After that, getting our hands on Monster Hunter Wilds for a co-op multiplayer hunt quest to slay Doshaguma was a definite highlight for our team—one of the most immersive experiences we had at the event.
Indie Wave Makers: Forward-looking Creativity
The indie game scene was another major highlight of Gamescom Asia 2024, with the Indie Wave Makers competition showcasing Southeast Asia’s boundless creativity. We had the opportunity to interview two of the award winners: Riris Marpaung, CEO and Founder of Indonesia’s Game Changer Studio, whose game My Lovely Empress captivated both judges and attendees, and our team with her lovely personality; and Don Baey from TrueWorld Studios, who promoted the fast-paced action title Unyielder. They won 3rd and 2nd place, respectively, and both interviews provided insight into their journey through the indie development world, inspiring countless other developers at the event.
Our indie game discoveries didn’t stop there. We also had the chance to sit down with Alex Kudishov, Executive Producer of ESDigital, the publisher behind exciting titles such as Steel Seed and Awaken – Astral Blade. Additionally, we interviewed Matthew Wong, Content Lead from local studio Pixelmon, who proudly represented their title Warden’s Ascent, which is gaining popularity not just as a game but also for its recently released anime series.
The indie corner was vibrant and engaging, with many unique concepts coming to life, making this section of the event a playground for curious and passionate gamers.
Celebrating Creators: Cosplay and Art
Gamescom Asia wouldn’t be complete without the awe-inspiring cosplay community. As always, cosplayers added another layer of excitement to the event, with many of them stationed outside the venue, delighting fans as they posed as their favourite characters. Inside the event, a dedicated artists’ corner was a lovely surprise, showcasing local artists who are an essential part of the gaming culture. This focus on community involvement was heartening, and allowed attendees to show their support for the local creative scene, adding an extra dimension to the event’s vibrant atmosphere.
A Bigger, More Eventful Edition
With its record-breaking attendance and a larger-than-ever exhibition space, this year’s Gamescom Asia was a testament to the region’s expanding influence in the global gaming landscape. The event saw stronger interactions between fans and industry leaders, especially during media interviews with titans like Ryozo Tsujimoto of Monster Hunter Wilds and Street Fighter 6’s Director and Producer. CAPCOM’s immense presence, along with contributions from other industry giants like SEGA, Xbox, and EA, made for an unforgettable event filled with exclusive previews and live performances. Fans were treated to not only game demos but also a celebration of the gaming culture, with performances by artists such as SHIHORI energising the crowd.
Final Thoughts
Gamescom Asia 2024 cemented its place as Southeast Asia’s premier gaming event. It brought together international giants and indie developers alike, fostering an atmosphere of innovation, celebration, and community. The event’s remarkable growth and the diverse representation of the gaming world—from esports to indie developers—left us excited for the future of gaming in the SEA region and beyond. With a good balance of established names and forward-looking creativity, Gamescom Asia continues to shape the narrative of gaming in this region, and we look forward to seeing what 2025 has in store.
