With the theme “Let’s Fix the Game Industry,” gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 opened its edition with a powerful call to action from Dead Space and Call of Duty creator Glenn Schofield. In his keynote, Schofield emphasized the urgent need to rebuild a weary industry, urging executives and investors to embrace bold ideas, strong leadership, and creative courage to spark a new era of innovation.

The opening ceremony marked the beginning of the four-day event, bringing together leaders and experts from across the globe. Lars Janssen and Felix Falk, representatives of game (the German Games Industry Association), highlighted the importance of strengthening Europe–Asia ties through shared innovation. Meanwhile, DEPA President Assist. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin shed light on Thailand’s growing digital ecosystem and its ambitions in creative technology.

Closing the ceremony, TGA President Kittipong Prucksa-aroon celebrated the rise of Thailand’s developer community and the power of global partnerships. The conference also featured a fireside chat between Alexander Karpazis of Ubisoft Canada and Gordon Van Dyke of Sweden’s Adorapixel, reflecting on a decade of creative perseverance behind Rainbow Six Siege. At the same time, the Invest Circle reaffirmed investor confidence in the region, while a vibrant lineup of indie showcases added further buzz to the World of Gaming.

On the second day, the event took on a cinematic flair as Glenn Schofield received the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his lasting impact and fearless leadership in the game industry. Crowds filled the entertainment area, where major exhibitors such as CAPCOM, Bandai Namco, and GCL brought the show floor to life with demos, trailers, and interactive experiences.

One of the highlights of the day was a live panel with the cast and creators of Island of Hearts, a new collaboration between 4Divinity and Titan Media, offering fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new IP.

The Pitch Competition concluded with MVRX Games from Sweden winning Best Visual for Dew; Kotakoren Games from Malaysia taking Best Game Design for Of Blood and Descend; and Mudtek from the USA earning Most Anticipated Game for Dimraeth. Each team received a USD 1,500 prize to further develop their titles.

On the main stage, Meghan Morgan Juinio, formerly of Santa Monica Studio, and Fleur Marty of Gearbox led an open discussion on the influence of women in shaping AAA games. Meanwhile, Danny Koo from Marvel Games unveiled how lesser-known heroes are being integrated into Marvel Rivals, and announced the global launch of the game’s first-ever PvE mode, Marvel Zombies, set for October 23. The new mode will feature epic battles against relentless zombie hordes and boss encounters such as Zombie Namor and the Queen of the Dead. Concluding Day 2, the event celebrated bold ideas, fearless creators, and the unstoppable momentum of the World of Gaming.

Day 3 of gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 brought a surge of excitement to Bangkok, uniting handheld innovation, fan passion, and creative diversity under one roof. The event floor buzzed with anticipation as players explored this year’s most talked-about titles, from high-octane blockbusters and long-awaited sequels to Southeast Asian indie gems standing proudly among global releases.

Portable gaming dominated the spotlight, drawing crowds eager to experience the power of ROG Xbox Ally X and Ally firsthand. Demo zones showcased a wide range of titles and gameplay challenges, turning the show floor into a celebration of accessible, on-the-go entertainment for all generations.

At the CAPCOM booth, anticipation reached fever pitch as fans lined up to try Resident Evil Requiem and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, two of the most awaited titles of the season. These experiences reinforced CAPCOM’s legacy of blending innovation with nostalgia, giving players a glimpse of what’s next for the studio’s legendary franchises.

Beyond the major names, the event also championed Southeast Asian talent, shining a light on local studios that infused their games with distinct storytelling and cultural flair. The showcase reflected a growing confidence in regional creativity, with developers using their unique perspectives to engage audiences worldwide.

Adding color and energy to the atmosphere, the Cosplay Competition transformed the main stage into a celebration of craftsmanship and performance. Top honors went to AMAZING CAKRA as Djeeta & Lucillius (Granblue Fantasy), Theerawat Phanu as Harry Queen (Batman: Arkham Knight), and Ronald Bert Sta Ana as Scorpion (Mortal Kombat 1), each capturing the audience’s admiration with impeccable detail and presence.

After four dynamic days, the event concluded with an impressive milestone of 206,159 attendees, marking a historic first for the collaborative showcase between gamescom Asia and Thailand Game Show. This achievement cemented the festival as Southeast Asia’s newest gaming powerhouse, blending international scope with regional identity.

The closing moments featured the Thailand Game Awards, where the local gaming community took center stage. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the evening’s highlight, sweeping four major honors including Game of the Year. The triumph reflected the evolving influence of Thai audiences in shaping global gaming culture and trends.

At the ceremony, Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, Mrs. Supajee Suthamphan, delivered heartfelt remarks that captured the event’s spirit. “I saw many impressive images at the event, including the fathers and children who worked together on the game — a picture that truly reflects the power of cross-generational creativity,” she said, emphasizing the social and emotional depth of gaming’s reach.

Speaking on Thailand’s rising prominence in the creative economy, she continued, “What I particularly admire is that many game developers, though not Thai, have used the beauty and uniqueness of Thailand... This is the true ‘soft power’ that allows players worldwide to experience and understand Thailand through their splendid gaming experiences.” Her statement underscored the fusion of artistry and national identity fueling the region’s cultural growth.

Mrs. Supajee also revealed that business negotiations during the event had already surpassed 1,220 million baht, with projected additional value nearing 1,000 million baht over the next two to five years. This demonstrated the growing economic significance of gaming as a driver of both innovation and opportunity within Thailand and beyond.

Echoing the optimism, Mathias Kuepper, Managing Director & VP Asia-Pacific at Koelnmesse, shared his perspective on the event’s success. “There was so much energy. There was so much creativity here on the show... from fans, creators, publishers, investors, developers. So they're all coming together to really celebrate what makes gaming special. We are onto something really, really great here... we're here to stay, to grow this event together with all our partners,” he said.

As the curtains closed on the 2025 edition, the sentiment was unmistakable, this was only the beginning of a larger journey for the region’s gaming future. The next chapter is already set, with the event returning to Bangkok from 29 October to 1 November for gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2026.