Philippine Gaming Developers Achieve Success at Gamescom 2023
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced that Philippine gaming developers experienced massive success at Gamescom 2023, a renowned global gaming event. With over 1,220 exhibitors from 63 countries and a massive exhibition space of 230,000 square meters, Gamescom is considered the pinnacle of gaming trade fairs.
During the three-day trade mission held in Cologne, Germany, from August 23 to 25, Philippine game development companies reported an impressive initial export sales figure of USD 7 million. Additionally, they identified potential opportunities that could generate an additional USD 20 million in revenue on a global scale.
Under the unified banner of the Philippine pavilion, ten prominent gaming industry companies showcased their diverse capabilities. These companies included Razer Gold, Ranida Games, Taktyl Studios, Fizzbuzz Inc., Emottoons Animation Studio, Yang Yang Mobile, Pixel Mafia Ltd., Animation Vertigo, Startrace Studios OPC, Buko Studios, and GameOps Inc.
In addition to highlighting the creativity and dynamism of the Philippine gaming industry, the pavilion also facilitated onsite business-to-business (B2B) meetings and exclusive networking events. These initiatives allowed delegates and members of the international gaming community to explore collaboration and partnerships while sharing market insights, trends, and best practices in Europe.
“The DTI recognizes the contribution of creative services to the Philippine economy in generating high-value revenue, as well as in creating employment opportunities for Filipinos,” said DTI Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte. She emphasized the DTI’s commitment to supporting the game development industry’s expansion in international markets, including Europe.
Director Sykimte further stated, “The Philippines is strategically positioned to become a leading hub for game development in the Asia-Pacific region by 2028. To achieve this, the DTI works hand in hand with key partners to enable Filipino companies to achieve their business goals, nurture local talent, create more employment opportunities, and contribute to economic development.”
This collaboration between the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau and the International Trade Centre (ITC) was strongly supported by the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) and Cybercraft Philippines Association, as part of the European Union funded ARISE Plus Philippines Project.
“The Filipino MSMEs have demonstrated their huge innovative potential in the gaming industry. ITC is honored to work with the DTI, GDAP, Cybercraft Philippines Association, and the multi-talented Filipino MSMEs in the gaming industry. We hope that this participation will foster stronger business linkages and opportunities for them to tap into the European market and beyond,” remarked Sylvie Bétemps Cochin, Chief of Office for Asia and the Pacific at the International Trade Centre (ITC), expressing her appreciation for the outstanding performance at Gamescom.
The Philippine gaming sector’s recent achievements at Gamescom align with the nation’s master plan under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA) to strengthen and support the gaming industry. In 2022 alone, the sector generated revenues of $75 million and provided employment opportunities for 8,000 professionals.
The successful return to Gamescom, following the Philippines’ last participation in 2016, showcases the nation’s renewed vigor and ambition in the global gaming arena. Earlier this year, five game development companies from the Philippines secured an initial $1.67 million in actual and potential export sales during the Nordic Game 2023 held in Malmö, Sweden.
The ARISE Plus Philippines project, funded by the European Union, is led by the DTI in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, Department of Science and Technology, and the private sector. The International Trade Centre (ITC) serves as the project’s technical agency.
