The inaugural Gamescom Latam in São Paulo, Brazil, has commenced with an impressive turnout, expecting over 100,000 attendees and participation from more than 1,000 gaming companies. This event is the product of a merger between Gamescom and the Brazil Indie Games Festival (BIG Festival).
It started with a business-only day on Wednesday, June 26, and will continue through Sunday, July 30. The large number of attendees highlights the event’s significant appeal in its debut year.
CEO Gustavo Steinberg highlighted that the event has already seen significant growth compared to its predecessors, with double the attendance numbers of last year’s event.
The São Paulo Expo Centre is hosting this significant congregation of gamers and industry professionals, showcasing the growing enthusiasm and scale of the gaming community in Brazil. The expansion reflects the successful integration of BIG Festival with Gamescom, enhancing the overall experience for participants.
The event features participation from major gaming companies, including Nintendo, Xbox, Ubisoft, Warner Bros, Epic Games, and Roblox, alongside a special area dedicated to indie games.
Notably, PlayStation is also exhibiting through partnerships with Sega, Plaion, and Square Enix, marking a substantial presence despite its decision to skip the main Gamescom event in Cologne this August. This wide representation underscores the importance these companies place on the Brazilian market.
Steinberg emphasized the significance of Brazil’s gaming market, noting its status as the fifth-largest globally in terms of players and tenth in terms of spending.
With a population exceeding 200 million, of which 70% engage in gaming, Brazil is a crucial market for the gaming industry. This demographic strength, combined with the strategic location of Brazil as the largest country in the Southern Hemisphere, makes it an attractive venue for such a prominent gaming event.
Despite the positive reception from the industry, Steinberg acknowledged the need for greater public awareness and education about Gamescom in Brazil. While hardcore gamers are familiar with Gamescom, broader marketing efforts are necessary to introduce the concept to the general public.
Steinberg remains confident that with substantial industry support and content, the audience will grow, ensuring the success of Gamescom Latam in future editions. An in-depth interview with Steinberg, discussing future plans, is set to be published next week.
