Full Breakdown
John Romero to Headline Gamescom Asia × Thailand Game Show 2026
7/23/2026, 7:50:40 PM
Core Event
John Romero, co-founder of id Software and co-creator of *Doom*, *Quake* and *Wolfenstein 3D*, will deliver the headline keynote titled “Why We Still Make Games” at the Gamescom Asia × Thailand Game Show 2026. The four-day event runs from October 29 through November 1, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
Background & Context
The 2025 edition merged the separate Gamescom Asia and Thailand Game Show into a single joint event, attracting more than 80,000 visitors across four days. Building on that momentum, organizers have expanded the venue footprint by 20 % to over 35,000 square metres, spreading the public-facing area across four exhibition halls. The show’s growth reflects the rapid expansion of Southeast Asia’s gaming market, which has become a significant draw for global developers and publishers.
Data & Statistics
- Venue size: 35,000 sq m, a 20 % increase from the previous year (organizers).
- Speaker roster: Over 70 speakers from more than 20 countries, including representatives from AdHoc Studio, DigixArt, Gameloft, Roblox, Rovio Entertainment, Tencent and others (event materials).
- Publisher presence: Major publishers such as Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Sega, The Pokémon Company and hardware partners AMD, Razer and SANDISK will exhibit (event schedule).
- Visitor history: The inaugural combined edition attracted 206,000 visitors from 95 countries. The 2025 show recorded over 80,000 attendees (organizers).
Why It Matters / Impact
Securing Romero—a figure whose work defined the first-person shooter genre—signals the organizers’ intent to position Bangkok alongside established Western shows such as Gamescom Germany. The keynote’s focus on persistence and industry evolution aligns with Southeast Asia’s burgeoning development scene, offering regional creators a high-profile platform to engage with global talent and investors. The expanded exhibition space and diverse publisher lineup further cement the show’s role as a hub for both major releases and indie innovations.
What's Next
Tickets for the 2026 edition are already on sale through the event’s official website. Additional speakers and program details are expected to be announced in the weeks leading up to the show. The event’s continued growth suggests further expansions of venue space and international participation in future editions.
