**Gamescom Asia Evolves with Exciting Move to Bangkok and Partnership with Thailand Game Show**
This year marks a significant evolution for Gamescom Asia. The third event in the annual Gamescom calendar has swapped its usual location in Singapore for Bangkok, following a merger with the Thailand Game Show. Organizers aim to deliver what they claim will be the largest gaming showcase in the region.
Rebranded as **Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show**, the new-look event promises a robust blend of B2B and B2C activities that unite professionals, publishers, and players alike. But how are the organizers working behind the scenes to fulfill this ambitious promise? We caught up with Koelnmesse project director Daria La Valle, who oversees the event, for some insights.
### Bridging East and West: A Platform for Knowledge Sharing
Speaking to *Game Developer*, La Valle expressed hope that the union between Gamescom Asia and Thailand Game Show will foster widespread knowledge sharing between Eastern and Western markets.
She describes Asia as a “fragmented market” that can be challenging for those outside its borders to navigate, while also noting the difficulties Asian developers face when trying to make inroads in Western markets. This, she believes, presents a unique opportunity.
“Ultimately, it’s not about one region doing better than the other, it’s about global success as the world of gaming converges globally,” says La Valle. “Throughout the past few years, Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show has grown to be the largest B2B show for the games industry in Southeast Asia with a track record of bringing top international expert speakers to the region.”
Expanding the event in service of this mission is described as an “ongoing chase,” one that requires organizers to be candid about their successes and shortcomings to ensure meaningful evolution for both exhibitors and attendees.
### Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Growth
La Valle reflects on the difficulties experienced when Gamescom Asia launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re not gonna pretend that didn’t put us on the back foot and made things really difficult. Despite that, each year we’ve grown in scope, size and level of participation in both B2B and B2C,” she explains.
This year, the move to Thailand brings significant growth to the B2C side of the event. Still, maintaining a space that attracts developers from around the world to collaborate remains a priority.
“To iron out issues they see in the industry and to form partnerships and grow together,” La Valle adds. “We’re extremely aware of cost pressures for both exhibitors and attendees.”
### Why Bangkok? Expanding the B2C Experience
With this context, La Valle explains why the move from Singapore to Bangkok was a strategic choice. “Singapore is a relatively small market, which meant on the B2C side there was only so much growth that could be achieved,” she shares.
“While we still have a strong relationship with the Singapore government and are really grateful for the support they’ve given the show in its early years, a bigger and better consumer show is essential to help the B2C portion thrive. The Thai games community is fantastic — from gamers to developers — and they’ve welcomed us with open arms.”
### Supporting Local Developers: Preventing Overshadowing
La Valle also emphasized that Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show will actively support local developers to ensure they aren’t overshadowed when the industry’s major players come to town. This pledge follows concerns raised by Brazilian developers at Gamescom LATAM over their treatment at a previous show.
“Indie devs have been key to our success from day one,” says La Valle. “We’ve always had a dedicated indie area, hosted by some of the region’s leading devs. This year, we have more than 200 developers exhibiting across our dedicated indie areas and country pavilions. There’s really no risk of indies getting sidelined at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show.”
### Tackling Cost Pressures to Maximize Value
Cost pressures for exhibiting and attending are top of mind for the organizers. To address this, they offer initiatives such as free business visitor tickets to those who pre-register and provide special rates for select trade bodies worldwide.
“We strive to provide the most value by putting together the best possible show and creating the most opportunities for people to meet, connect, and collaborate,” La Valle explains. “A good outcome for the event is one where people can learn but also network. We invest heavily in parties, mixers, and dedicated spaces where people can find each other.”
She adds, “These cost pressures are compounded in Asia as it is a very cost-conscious environment, and we price things accordingly. Ultimately, we bring in a great audience and put together a great event — which is evident from the fact that we have several repeat exhibitors from the indie dev community who’ve been with us for several years. We’ve literally seen them and their games grow.”
### Looking Ahead
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Stay tuned to *Game Developer* for more coverage from Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show straight from Bangkok in the coming weeks.
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it-s-about-global-success-gamescom-asia-x-thailand-game-show-director-outlines-vision-for-new-look-event
