SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest gaming convention, G-Star 2025, is set to open on Nov. 13 at the BEXCO convention center in Busan, promising its most expansive lineup yet.
This year’s event will host 1,273 companies from 44 countries, filling 3,269 booths under the theme “Expand Your Horizons.” Organizers say the annual showcase has evolved into a global cultural festival that reflects the expanding scope of the gaming industry — from blockbuster franchises to independent innovation.
Among the most anticipated appearances is Blizzard Entertainment’s return after 12 years, featuring an Overwatch 2 experience zone and participation in the G-Star Cup e-sports tournament.
Other global developers, including Sega, Atlus, Bandai Namco, and Warhorse Studios, will also take part, reaffirming G-Star’s status as Asia’s leading hub for the international gaming market.
NCSoft, serving as the main sponsor for the first time, will anchor the exhibition with a sprawling 300-booth pavilion showcasing two new titles: the Aion 2 and the sci-fi shooter Cinder City. Both are seen as part of the company’s strategy to move beyond its long-running Lineage franchise.
Netmarble will unveil four new games, including the Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, as part of a broader push to expand its platform diversity and reach global audiences. Krafton, meanwhile, plans to debut Palworld Mobile, based on its popular intellectual property.
Beyond the game floor, G-Star 2025 will broaden its focus through G-CON, a conference exploring the intersection of gaming, storytelling, and technology. Featured speakers include film director Byun Sung-hyun and several AI researchers discussing narrative design and creative innovation.
The Indie Showcase will highlight projects from 80 independent developers, offering a platform for experimental ideas and emerging voices shaping the future of gaming.
Festivities will begin a day earlier, on Nov. 12, with the 2025 Korea Game Awards. Nominees include Legend of Ymir from Wemade and Mabinogi Mobile from Nexon.
To accommodate the expected crowds, organizers will implement a 100 percent pre-booking system and designate a car-free zone near BEXCO to ensure safety.
* This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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