Gamescom 2023, the world's gaming mega-event, recently witnessed the meteoric rise of the Philippines in the gaming landscape.

With over 1,220 exhibitors spanning 63 countries and a sprawling exhibition space of 230,000 square meters, Gamescom stands tall as the zenith of gaming trade fairs.

Philippine game development companies, united under one national pavilion, reported $7 million in initial export sales during the three-day trade mission held on 23-25 August in Cologne, Germany. They also identified opportunities that could funnel in an additional $20 million in potential revenue on a global scale.

The Philippine pavilion showcased the diverse capabilities of Philippine companies in the gaming industry with 10 bold and innovative feature industry players: 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.

While the pavilion shone a spotlight on the dynamism and creativity of Philippine gaming, the business delegation also conducted onsite business-to-business meetings and participated in exclusive networking events with key organizations to explore collaboration and partnerships. Moreover, the event served as a platform that allowed delegates and the international gaming community members to share 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. We share and support the aspiration of the game development industry to further expand and thrive in international markets including Europe." DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte said.

Sykimte added, "The Philippines is strategically positioned toward becoming a leading hub for game development in the Asia-Pacific region by 2028. To achieve this, DTI works hand in hand with key partners in enabling Filipino companies achieve their business goals, nurture local talent, create more employment opportunities and contribute to economic development."

The collaboration, a brainchild of the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau and the International Trade Centre, was significantly backed by the Game Developers Association of the Philippines and Cybercraft Philippines Association under the European Union funded ARISE Plus Philippines Project.

"Filipino MSMEs have demonstrated their huge innovative potential in the gaming industry. ITC is honored to work with the DTI, the Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Cybercraft Philippines Association, and 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," said International Trade Centre's Chief of Office for Asia and the Pacific Sylvie Bétemps Cochin.

In 2022 alone, the Philippine gaming sector raked in revenues of $75 million, employing a talented pool of 8,000 professionals. This endeavor at Gamescom is but a strategic move in the nation's master plan under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act to bolster its gaming industry.

The return to Gamescom since its last participation in 2016 highlights the Philippines' renewed vigor and ambition in the global gaming arena.

Earlier this year, five game development companies from the Philippines secured initial $1.67 million in actual and potential export sales during the Nordic Game 2023 held in Malmö, Sweden.

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, the Department of Science and Technology and the private sector. The International Trade Centre is the technical agency for the project.