It’s been a good couple of days since the Thailand Game Show and while life goes on it’s still surreal looking back at the event. While I was looking back at the game show, the game show was looking back at me. 

Kidding aside, an international event isn’t something to scoff at and if you’re wondering what it’s like to be at one you’re in luck because here I am to talk about it. 

Just a quick disclaimer though that I’m what you’d call a convention connoisseur meaning I’ve been to various conventions from cosplay to gaming to culture to cards over the years so there will be comparisons. That aside, here’s what attending an international gaming convention is like from my perspective.

Humbling

Go to enough conventions in the Philippines and you’re bound to bump into the same celebrities, the same attractions, the same events over and over again to the point where you’re already expecting what comes next without even seeing the venue. Sure you get to see small Hoyoverse booths filled with Genshin Impact or Honkai StarRail and the like but when you think you’ve had your fill, nothing compares to the grandeur that corporations would go for to attract visitors. 

Think about it. What if you have giant brand displays complete with enormous monitors mounted atop them showing people playing demos and your gameplay of all things was shown for everyone to see. As a streamer, that’s something you’d only dream of but to give this experience to anyone at the con is something else and you know what? They’d be too engrossed to realize how impressive it actually is

There were even displays that you’d only see abroad smack dab in some areas on the floor. I kid you not, when I saw a gacha selection display that I’ve only seen in videos from Tokyo Game Show right in front of me complete with cosplayers, and the works,I thought wow, I wanna go to more of these types of events. Being at the floor with the rest of the crowd gives you this feeling of smallness but not to the point of degradation. It’s a big world out there and with a huge venue, huge crowd and huge spectacles, you’re just another little guy and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Honest

On the topic of huge crowds, along with it, come long lines. While the temptation to cut in line is there, the desire or one might even call it pressure to follow the rules is there as well. Everyone is both aware and unaware but there’s this code of honor to follow the rules to ensure that not only will they have a good time, but everyone else would as well.

There’s just something about seeing lines that extend throughout the hallway which never ceases to slow down with nobody pushing each other or shoving or being disrespectful that makes you want to be a better person. It’s such a stark contrast from what you’re used to here in the Philippines at times with conventions having hordes of people cramming up the hallways or being shooed away even though they never actually paid to join the event and would rather loiter instead. 

There were even instances where you could strike up a conversation with a random congoer and even if you didn’t understand each other, gaming is all it takes. A fistbump, a nod, a handshake and more, the environment made you want to be a better person.

Home

Big events are scary and no matter how many times you’ve been to them, it takes a lot of getting used to but there’s always something or in my case someone to look forward to. While everyone may come from different backgrounds, the atmosphere just oozes out gaming and pop culture attracting like minded individuals means you’re bound to see a familiar face or two whether it be a game or some friends you’ve made along the way. 

Funny story but I got to see a friend of mine Extra Rai every day during the event and we never even planned it. I even got to see a friend of mine that visited the Philippines, Tak, in action, hosting, and getting to be in his country with him doing what he does best just makes you so proud.

There’s this comfort in wandering the halls of Thailand Game Show and while the weekend may have been short, it’s an event like this that you keep home to your heart and have as a core memory.

Closing

I enjoyed the Thailand Game Show and to know that there’s still the Tokyo Game Show has me adding another item to my bucket list. While no events are ever equal because let’s face it, logistics are a thing and big brands don’t come out of nowhere, I feel hopeful for newer event organizers. The recently concluded Philippine Game Dev Expo was very reminiscent of the B2B section of Thailand Game Show so I know it’s headed in the right direction. As for the Thailand Game Show itself though, I’m hopeful for the Philippine Game Show but progress takes time.

There’s a lot of events out there and I may be seeing the Thailand Game Show through rose colored glasses but eventually, you do get a favorite and as of this writing, the Thailand Game Show is mine and to you reading, I hope you have as much fun in your next event the same way I did here.