Gamescom Asia 2024 came and went, leaving behind tales of success and fascination. Recently held in Suntec Convention Center Singapore, this year’s Gamescom Asia returned in full glory, a moment the organizers dreamed of since its inauguration in 2021 during Covid. With over 41,000 visitors, the fourth edition of Gamescom Asia broke all previous years’ records while also exceeding this year’s expected attendance. For Risuep Labs, its first Gamescom Asia participation could not have been more exciting, a press release said.

Gamescom Asia 2024 made impressive strides with its sharp increase in attendance, exhibitors, and participation of major industry players. Among the heavyweights showcasing their creation and sharing insights included ex-PlayStation Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden, Gordon Van Dyke (Raw Fury), Justin Scarpone (SEGA), Jaeho Hwang (MINTROCKET), and more.

Gamescom Asia is also a premier event that spotlights Asian game studios and developers. The platform further aims to deepen connections and partnerships of Asian game developers with global names while also drawing attention to indie and smaller creators. This is perfectly reflected in Shawn Layden’s words, who said, “If we can just get a bit more interest and excitement and exposure for these lower budget, but super creative and super unusual kind of games, I would like to see more of that. Because if we’re just going to rely on the blockbusters to get us through, I think that’s a death sentence for the [gaming] business.”

Exhibitions, conferences, pitch contests, and investment circles were among the exciting highlights of the event’s “Business Area” segment. For context, Gamescom Asia is divided into two main segments—the Business Area and Entertainment Area. The Business Area is an exclusive platform for industry personnel that facilitate exhibitions, conferences, and deal signing. The 2024 edition of Business Area witnessed a significant rise in international exhibitors, drawing companies from Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, the US, and beyond. Bangladesh joined the country list this year with Riseup Labs.

More than 80 industry experts shared in-depth insights during the conference, a key part of the Business Area. The speakers discussed everything from game design and development to business and marketing strategies, as in the case of Matthieu Youna of MyDearest talking about the intricacies of transforming the indie hit The Exit 8 into a VR bestseller.

A palpable energy coursed through the Invest Circle segments, with over 200 professionals presenting dialogues and opinions on the next development in gaming. It is evident that South Asia’s gaming industry is rising fast, with more and more global investors eyeing this lucrative market. Over 4,400 business visitors took part in the two-day Business Area, immersing themselves in meetings, networking, and knowledge-sharing activities.

The “Entertainment Area” unveiled an unforgettable gaming showcase and experiences for fans and the general public. Highlights included gameplay, main stage events, cosplays, and meet-and-greets. CAPCOM returned as the star attraction at the event with its 1,000 sqm booth and live gameplay, where a high-stakes match of Street Fighter 6 captivated the fans while a first-hand Monster Hunter Wilds gameplay left the crowd eager for its release. 

Lesser-known studios and indie developers also received the well-deserved spotlight as fans set out to explore fresh new games on the market. Moreover, this year’s “indie area” featured 60 promising titles from independent developers worldwide. 

2024 marks a formative year for Riseup Labs, the Bangladeshi tech enterprise that specializes in game development and emerging technologies. From VivaTech to TechXLR8, to the Tokyo Game Show and the latest Gamescom Asia, Riseup Labs successfully ticked off major international events back to back in the past months.

According to Riseup Labs’ Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ershadul Hoque, participating in Gamescom Asia 2024 “could not have happened at a better time.” He added, “This is a huge opportunity for us to venture beyond and compete with global games. Having been immersed in the gaming industry for over a decade, we are more hopeful than ever to see a flourishing gaming sector in South Asia, and especially Bangladesh.”

Gamescom Asia serves as a key platform for connecting Asian game studios to major stakeholders and boosting the regional industry. Securing impressive business opportunities, Riseup Labs is ready to embark on its next ventures following its successful event.