GameStart 2015 – Southeast Asia’s premier gaming convention returns, bigger and better than before
What’s new this year:
- GameStart 2015 Official Game - retro-style mobile game featuring mascot Alyse
- Double the floor space of last year’s event
- New B2B Day – industry conference “Gaming in Asia – Trends & Insights”
Asia’s premier gaming convention GameStart will be back for the second
year from 13 to 15 November at Suntec Convention Centre Halls 401 and 402. Last year’s event
attracted over 12,000 visitors from around the region, and this year’s is all set to be even bigger and
better.
Besides a massive line-up of the newest and hottest games, the event is once again host to the Capcom
Pro Tour Asia Finals, which will see the top Street Fighter players from Asia fight for a qualifying place
in the global Capcom Cup tournament at the end of the year. GameStart 2015’s FIFA tournament will
feature bigger prizes and the addition of qualifier events in Singapore and Malaysia. Also making its
return is the Game On! Cosplay Competition, and more information, including the identities of
GameStart 2015’s two celebrity guest cosplayers will be revealed in the coming weeks.
“The response to last year’s show completely blew our expectations,” said Elicia Lee, Director of
Eliphant Pte Ltd, which organises the event. “We knew that there was a gap in the market for a
consumer gaming event, but we didn’t quite expect the turnout and it was great to see the wide range
of attendees. Besides the gamers, there were also tourists and families which was really fantastic. It
just proves that gaming is no longer a niche activity, but one that everyone can get into.”
GameStart 2015 will occupy double the floor space, and be held over three days instead of two, with
the addition of a B2B session on 13 November, and a one day conference for knowledge sharing and
networking. Called ‘Gaming in Asia – Insights and Trends’, the conference will cover a range of topics
from game marketing strategies to IP protection. More information will be revealed in the coming
weeks.
GameStart 2015 launches its official mobile game
In line with its objective of showcasing local talent, GameStart Asia has collaborated with Seow ‘Sonic’
Zong Hui, developer of Street Fighter vs MegaMan, to develop its own mobile game, a first for an Asian
gaming convention. The retro-style platformer features GameStart resident gamer girl and mascot
Alyse battling increasingly challenging enemies in a bid to defeat a mysterious enemy, and along the
way unlocks other playable characters, each with their own unique powers.
“The team at GameStart is very big on supporting and promoting local talent, and many of us grew up
playing what is now considered to be retro games. We worked with independent local developers and
designers to create a fun yet challenging game that brought back a lot of fond memories for us,” said
Ms Lee.
Players can look out for in-game cameos by characters from games by Witching Hour Studios and
Daylight Studios, as well as well-known personalities such as pro eSports player, Ho Kun Xian (“Xian”).
Additional game content will be released in September and October 2015, and a special level unveiled
at GameStart 2015, where show attendees can take up the challenge and stand to win prizes. The
game is available on the App Store and Google Play from today, completely free to download and play.
More info at http://gamestart.asia/the-game.
Some of the exhibitors that have confirmed attendance at the show include Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc and Taipei Game Show, and the show’s indie section, ‘Founders Base’, is filling up
fast with game startups, artists and independent game studios from Singapore, Barcelona and Hong
Kong.
A special Early Bird rate for exhibitors is available from now till 31 August. Interested parties can
email [email protected]. Sales of Early Bird tickets to the event will begin in early September,
and Xmashed Gear will launch a Limited Edition GS2015 tee design, exclusively available with tickets
sold online.
GameStart 2015 is pleased to announce the Official Partners for this year’s show:
GameStart 2015 Official Partners
For overseas visitors, GameStart Asia is working with Official Accommodation Partners to offer special
convention rates to GameStart 2015 attendees. Accommodation details and rates will be available on
the GameStart Asia website from 25 August 2015.
