The biggest game development expo in the Philippines really delivered this year.
It may sound hyperbolic but the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) was like an oasis in the desert for Filipino gamers. In fact, I would say that it’s probably the best gaming convention in the Philippines this year.
It delivered on its promise, which was to bring gamers of all kinds together to share and talk about the industry that they’re passionate about.
Granted, it’s not like PGDX has much in the way of competition. With the loss of Rev Major and uncertainty around ESGS, PGDX had the attention of every Filipino gamer who was starving for big events. And to their credit, PGDX made sure to accommodate them all while keeping the heart of the event intact.
There was always something to see or do in function rooms three to five in the SMX Convention Center. The place was packed yet seldom felt cramped or suffocating as people were always on the move.
On one end there were raffles and demos for the latest gaming peripherals. On the other there were tournaments and exhibitions running around the clock.
Mainstays such as Smart, PLDT, MSI, and PC Express were obviously present as well as gaming behemoth titles such as Zenless Zone Zero, Honkai Star Rail, and Honor of Kings, each featuring their own promos and activities. Then there was the mainstage, which was constantly running the gamut of showmatches, showcases, panels, and interviews.
It was very hard to find yourself with nothing to do in PGDX.
The Wider World of Gaming
Now, when you hear the name Philippine GameDev Expo, your first thought would be that it’s all about video games. Of course, that’s still PGDX’s focus but it’s also grown to be more than just the playing and creation of video games.
Esports, for example, has become an inseparable part of the video game industry, with various organizations and companies dedicated to its cause.
The Collegiate Center for Esports held their MLBB season 4 championship during the event. The International Esports Federation also had their own booth in the B2B area. Both were eager to talk about the opportunities that esports can offer.
Aside from that, there were Web 3.0 and blockchain professionals who were educating people on how these technologies can benefit modern games. There was even a booth dedicated to tabletop and board games. After all, not all games have to be digital.
Highlighting Both Local and International Game Development
Yet despite all these things fighting for the attention of Filipino gamers, the core of PGDX has always been about game developers.
A considerable portion of the show floor is dedicated to independent game developers getting to show off their latest project. Professional and educational workshops were also taking place all throughout the day.
And while there’s a big focus on local game developers, international talent had a presence in PGDX as well. Amateur and professional developers from Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. all had a spot in PGDX to showcase their latest projects to Filipino gamers and beyond.
Through PGDX, these aspiring creators got a chance to meet with movers and shakers of the industry. It’s their opportunity to open doors and build bridges. And more than anything, they get to share to people something cool that they’ve been working on.
PGDX was a blast through and through, and was a reminder to Filipino gamers why we love this hobby. It’s also shown us how gaming has become such a big and far-reaching industry but at the end of the day, it’s still all about having fun and enjoying the games that we play.
Banner photo from Philippine GameDev Expo.