What to expect @ Gamestart 2016

The one event that’s solely dedicated to Gaming is back for it’s third year! Yes, Gamestart is back and it’s happening this weekend! Here’s a short lineup of things to expect at the event this weekend!

 

Event Name: Gamestart 2016
Date: 7 – 9 Oct 2016
Where: Suntec Convention Centre, Hall 405 and 406, Singapore
Ticket Prices:
 One day Standard - S$12
 Three day standard - S$30
 VIP Passes - S$70 (includes three days entry passes, Priority Queue Passes and more)
 Free Entry for Cosplayers

 

 

Game Showcases

 

Staying true to it’s name, Gamestart will be bringing a wide assortment of games to it’s hall this year. From retro games to indie games and even card games. Xbox makes it’s first appearance at Gamestart 2016 and will be showcasing upcoming titles such as Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3 and Final Fantasy XV. Other than the chance to experience the all new Xbox and PC cross-platform feature, attendees can also expect exclusive offers on various Xbox and Microsoft products at the show.The Cosplay Chroniclesgam

 

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia will add to the show with an exhilarating line up of game previews for titles such as Tales of Berseria, Tekken 7 and indie title Little Nightmares. Virtual Reality will be one of the highlights this year at their booth. It will also be hosting a Singapore qualifer tournament for Tekken 7: the King of the Iron Fist Tournament . The winner will represent Singapore to pit against other Southeast Asian representatives in the Tournament held in Japan on December 10th. 

 

A select number of indie studios from Taiwan will also be showcasing their items at the Taipei Game Show booth. Visitors can vote for their favourite indie game at the convention and the top voted company will be given a chance to exhibit at Taipei Game Show 2017.

 

 

 

International Guests

Executive Producer for Touken Ranbu –ONLINE – , Yuta Hanazawa will be at Gamestart 2016 to share his thoughts about the popular DMM game and meet with fans of the game. Having joined DMM Games since it’s first year, Yuta Hanazawa has extensive experience in the gaming industry. With multiple portfolios, roles and title handing experience to booth, Yuta Hanazawa’s stage session is bound to be insightful for both fans of Touken Ranbu and aspiring game designers. Special Touken Ranbu merchandises can be also be won at the convention.

 

 

What’s a gaming convention without some Cosplay guests? GameStart 2016 is bringing in two renowned cosplayers, Miu (Vietnam) and Okageo (USA), who will judge the GameStart Cosplay Runway, meet fans and sell merchandise.

 

 

Miu (Vietnam)

 

 

Okageo (USA)

 

 

 

Esports Competitions

Competitive gaming is one of the biggest highlight this year with multiple tournaments being held this weekend. Expect to be dazzled by the exciting fights put up by the professional players all around the world as professional and celebrity Street Fighter players from around the world competes in the official Capcom Cup 2016 finals - the finale of a year-long worldwide league that offers a prize pool of USD 500,000.

 

 

Playstation, a major exhibitor this year will be bringing South East Asia Major 2016, the largest console tournament in Southeat Asia to Gamestart 2016 for the very first time. MyRepublic has entered the game as the official Fibre Broadband Partner for Gamestart 2016. It is also the Presenting Sponsor for the Overwatch Champions Singapore tournament. Local teams will be battling it out at their booth for over $5000 worth of cash and prizes from Armaggeddon.

 

GameStart’s annual FIFA tournament, the Gamestart Championship Cup, is also making a comeback with support from Xbox Singapore, and over $4,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by GameStart, Xbox and Monitor Sponsor, ViewSonic. Other notable tournaments are for Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-, BlazBlue Central Fiction and the highly anticipated King of Fighters XIV, most of which are qualifiers to regional tournament finals in Japan and China.

 

 

Music Performances

Gamestart hasn’t forgotten that music plays an integral role in hamming up the game experience. Special music performances by Guitarist Az Samad from malaysia and Vocalist Rika Lee from Singapore will be rocking the stage this weekend.  Az will perform a 30-minute set of selected songs from well-known classic games, followed by Rika, who will be lending her voice to songs from popular franchises such as Final Fantasy and The Witcher 3.

 

 
Az Samad

 

 
Rika Lee

 

Doujin Market

Indie companies and talent groups will showcase themselves at the Founders Base and Doujin Market. Gamestart is committed to supporting the little guys with talent and has offered subsidised booths for indie game developrs and startups to exhibit their works to visitors. Along with a number of indie studios from Taiwan, local indie companies will be setting base at the Founders base.

 

Doujin Market is the largest pop culture arts event in Singapore that focuses on Japanese content, and as a new collaboration for 2016, Doujin Market @ GameStart will bring 24 artists and illustrators to GameStart 2016, curated by Cosplay Partner and Doujin Market organiser, Neo Tokyo Project (Doujin - Japanese term for self-published works and artwork by independent artists). Be prepared to be enchanted by the talent of the artists and illustrators who will be bringing a wide variety of art prints and merchandises.

 

 

Freebies & trade-ins

Who doesn’t like a bargain? Gamestart has set in place a couple of convention boosters to encourage participation and bring value to the visitors. Gemstarts will be opening it’s doors for free to Cosplayers so remember to strut in with your best costume! Goodie bags containing random merchandises will be given out on Saturday and Sundays to the first 300 visitors per day. Possible loots include t-shirts or prints from Xmashed Gear, gaming peripherals, high-end storage devices from Seagate or special merchandise from other sponsors.

 

The Quest, Powered by Armaggeddon, will send visitors on a quest to complete specific tasks around the venue for swag, as well as more chances to win prizes in the GameStart Lucky Draw, which includes an ergonomic gaming chair by Secret Lab and gaming notebook from Official Notebook Sponsor MSI. For those looking to offload old laptops, game consoles, games (except PC platform) and mobile devices, bring them down to the Gadget Solution booth to trade them in for GameStart vouchers, which can be spent anywhere in the venue, including purchasing and pre-ordering new consoles, games, merchandise and more at the many sales booths, such as local retailer TOG (Toy or Game), Secret Lab, Armaggeddon, Liongeeks and Xmashed Gear.

 

 

Are you enticed to visit the convention yet? I know I am =)

 

About GameStart Asia
GameStart is Southeast Asia’s premier gaming convention. Organised by industry veterans who are avid gamers, GameStart seeks to bring everything gaming-related to audiences in Singapore and Asia. From game previews, esports tournaments to cosplay competitions, GameStart is the place to be if you love video games. The convention has seen an increasing numbers of visitors since the inaugural event in 2014, including visitors from around the region.