Insights from gamescom asia 2022

gamescom asia, one of the largest video games conferences in Asia, took place in Singapore on October 19-23, 2022 in person and online. The hybrid approach highlighted the Entertainment Zone to showcase new games from renowned studios in Asia streamed online for the public while the Trade Zone commenced in-person on October 20-22, acting as a hub for partnerships between local game developers and global studios looking to grow and expand in Southeast Asia, one of the fastest growing regions for the games industry. Niko Partners was appointed as sole Knowledge Partner of gamescom asia 2022 and we published a short guide on the Southeast Asian games market as part of our value to attendees and organizers.

Niko analysts Darang Candra, Caroline Pratama, and Edward Tien represented Niko at the conference. Caroline Pratama was a panelist on the WIGA panel covering females in gaming in Asia. Here are our analysts’ observations from various sessions and the themes most discussed at the conference.

Return to an in-person event

gamescom asia, the first satellite event of gamescom, was originally slated to commence in October 2020 in Singapore, but was delayed for another year. In 2021, the event was held in a hybrid mode, attracting more than 2,200 physical and virtual attendees from 60 countries. This year’s edition saw an increased number of attendees with 3,200 industry members attending the event both offline and online.

Big name sponsors, global supporting partners, and associations are getting involved

Global companies, such as Microsoft-created and -owned Xbox, Nuvei, Xsolla and Bytedance-owned global Douyin version, TikTok sponsored gamescom asia. In addition to the global and other regional video game associations, such as International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and Enter Africa, the video game associations from Southeast Asia’s 6 major video game markets are the event’s supporting partners and associations.

The indie developer scene is growing

With the growing indie gaming landscape in Asia, Indie game developers from Asia and other regions showcased their works to potential publishers and investors. The indie booths intended to further expand their player base in Asia.

Strong emphasis on gender inclusivity in the gaming industry

This year’s edition puts a specific focus on the importance of gender equality in the Asian games industry. The Women in Games Asia chapter hosted a panel titled “From Good Leadership to Great Leadership: The Role of Leaders in Advancing Gender Inclusivity and Equality in the Games Industry”. Niko Partners opened the discussion by sharing our research on Female Gamers in Asia; how they are the fastest growing untapped market in Asia, and why industry leaders should put on their gender lens and render female representation important in their creative as well as decision-making process.

The future gaming trends in the region

With the emergence of future gaming trends in Asia, metaverse and web3 gaming were widely discussed at the event. Many of the conference agendas and booths were focused on the development of metaverse and web3 gaming in the region.

 

Niko’s Caroline Pratama (right) and the Female Games in Asia panel