Gaming revenue in Asia Pacific have hit USD $71.4 Billion, a 16.8% growth from 2017. A large proportion of it is contributed by the growth of mobile gaming in the region. As Singapore and the region see a rise in interest in esports and gaming from mainstream corporations and brands, the organisers of GameStart 2018 shared how GameStart has evolved since 2014 and plans to more actively provide opportunities to level up skills and knowledge for aspiring gaming professionals and the local gaming scene. As it marks its 5th anniversary, the convention will bring international gaming stars and experts in its most star-studded lineup to date.
Industry Growth and Creating Opportunities
Over its 5 years of growth, the GameStart team has built networks and bridges not just across the local gaming industry, but also internationally. GameStart this year added 2 new partnerships with Korean Indie Game event BIC Fest, and Indonesia’s Game Prime, so their local developers can showcase their games to Singapore & Southeast Asian audiences. Singaporean developers will also be able to exhibit in Korea and Indonesia respectively.
GameStart also renewed its partnership with Taipei Game Show for the 4th year, and will host Taiwanese indie developers at GameStart 2018. The GameStart Indie Award provides winners with a paid trip and booth to exhibit at Taipei Game Show 2019, in addition to a prize of a WACOM interactive pen tablet.
GameStart year also launches its Masterclasses this year, where international experts are brought in to conduct specialised seminars and share their work experiences. Focusing on art this year, the classes are suitable for art students and artists looking to level up their skills.
Targeted at general consumers, the GameStart Workshops is a collaboration with long time content partner, video production company No Average Joe (NAJ). The series, which aims to bring fun and educational sessions to GameStart, will provide visitors with more hands-on activities and learning experiences. 2018’s workshops includes RetroCade, a workshop whereby visitors get to build their own mini arcade machine, as well as a fun animation workshop by local artists Nanimonda and Naoki.
More on GameStart Workshops are available at – https://gamestart.asia/events/lessons-by-no-average-joe/
Masterclass by Jax Jocson (10 October): Character Design: Introduction to Visual Storytelling
Jacqueline Jocson is an Art Director & Concept Artist specializing in design and storytelling. Over the past decade, Jacqueline has worked in film, game, VR/AR, television, advertising, and IP creation for the past decade with clients such as Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, SyFy Channel, Digital Domain, Super Evil Megacorp, and Psyop.
Learn how to create iconic and memorable characters through effective visual communication from Jacqueline. More info – https://gamestart.asia/events/masterclass-by-jax-jocson/
Masterclass by Carlo Arellano (12 October): Archetypes in Advanced Character Design
Carlo has provided concepts, textures and models for many Video Game projects including: World of Warcraft, Ratchet and Clank, Resistance, and God of War.
Pick up essential skills on how to create powerful and provocative characters for film and games from the Art Director of Super Evil Megacorp. By using proportion, form, storytelling, color and focused design creation rather than sprawling ideation, the student is shown the how to create strong archetypes which resonate with the viewer. The student is given tools to communicate important storytelling ideas and skills to create production ready concepts which take into account not only artistic concerns but pipeline, animation and gameplay needs.
More info – https://gamestart.asia/events/masterclass-by-carlo-arellano/
International Gaming Stars and Heavyweights to Grace the Convention
In addition to a greater variety of game showcases, GameStart 2018 completes their line-up of gaming heavyweights with the announcement that Motohiro Okubo, Producer of hotly-anticipated game SOULCALIBUR VI, will be at GameStart on 13 October to meet fans and share more about the game, which launches just one week after the event.
Fans of Capcom’s highly popular action role-playing game MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD can look forward to meeting and hearing from Kaname Fujioka (Executive Director/Art Director) and Yuya Tokuda (Director) from the game’s development team on 14 October.
Celebrity gamer and New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega #KennyOmega will be at GameStart 2018. In addition to being a commentator at Sea Major 2018, Kenny will also hold a Meet & Greet session with fans on October 13.
Details of the guests are available at https://gamestart.asia/events/guests/
SEA Major – Bringing Global Esports To Singapore
SEA Major 2018 will play host to tournaments for 10 games with a prize pool of USD $50,000 up for grabs. Singapore’s longest-running esports tournament will see more than 200 international competitors in Singapore for the weekend, including top professional esports athletes from Japan, America and Europe.
Star players will also be in town during the GameStart weekend. Eagle-eyed fans are in for a treat to catch some of the world’s most famous professional esports players in Singapore. They include Japan’s legend Daigo Umehara: 梅原大吾 , who will be competing in Street Fighter V at Sea Major 2018, reigning Street Fighter V SEA Major Champion Tokido, top female Tekken 7 player and Red Bull sponsored Athlete Tanukana, homegrown esports hero Ho Kun Xian and America’s renowned competitive fighting game player and multi-game Champion Justin Wong. Please refer to Annex for a list of selected pro gamers at GameStart 2018.
Renowned tournament commentators include BlessRNG, well-known Australian streamer and personality who has his own emoticon on streaming platform Twitch; and “Tasty Steve” Steve Scott, “Markman” Mark Julio and “Sajam” Stephen Lyon from America.
GameStart 2018 will also play host to some special announcements from exhibitors and partners during the event, details of which will be shared in the coming days.
In celebration of its 5th anniversary, GameStart has teamed up with fellow Singaporean gaming gear brand Armaggeddon, to design and create a Limited Edition GameStart X Armaggeddon Gaming Mouse. The mouse features high performance tracking speed of up to 160 inches per second, 5 button + 2-way click scroll, 6,000 frame rate and 7-colour lighting with pulsating effects. The mouse will be available for sale exclusively at GameStart events for S$29.90, and is included in all GameStart 2018 VIP goodie bags.
More information and the latest updates on GameStart 2018 are available on www.gamestart.asia, and www.facebook.com/GameStart.Asia.
General Information
- Venue: Suntec Convention Centre Halls 401 – 403 Singapore
- Event Dates: 13 & 14 October 2018
- Opening Hours:
- Media & VIP Ticket Holders: 10am – 9pm
- General Public: 11am – 9pm
GameStart 2018 MasterClasses
- Dates: 10 & 12 October 2018
- Venue: *SCAPE , Treetop
Image credits: GameStart Asia
