As a young studio from India with global ambitions, Gamescom Asia 2024 marked a series of exciting firsts for Second Quest. It was our first-ever conference, our first international trip as a team, and, and our first opportunity to present our studio strategy and debut game to an international audience. Attending as a team—including Kinshuk Sunil (Co-Founder & CEO), Vivek Jha (CTO), and myself—this experience was made possible through the support of the Global Game Jam (GGJ), who generously sponsored our passes.
Forging Global Connections and Gaining Valuable Insights
Gamescom Asia offered us an invaluable platform to connect with industry experts, publishers, and investors. These interactions were not only exciting but also deeply validating of our approach to creating community-driven simulation games. The feedback and insights we received have already helped us refine our strategies, offering clear directions on how to amplify the global appeal of our debut game.
These connections reinforced the belief that simulation games with user-generated content (UGC) have untapped potential in the global gaming ecosystem. For a PC-first studio emerging from a mobile-first country like India, these conversations were a huge morale boost.
“Connecting with investors and publishers who understand our vision was invaluable. The validation of our UGC-focused approach and the actionable insights we received will guide us as we build an enriching player experience.”
(Reflected Kinshuk)
Learning from Industry Leaders and Pioneers
The sessions at Gamescom Asia were a treasure trove of knowledge. From fundraising best practices to the post-mortem of Dave the Diver, every session offered lessons that resonated with us.
“Building a cross-platform game with mod support from day one is an ambitious goal. Interacting with talented developers and tech innovators at Gamescom gave me practical insights to overcome the challenges ahead and execute our strategy with precision.”
(Vivek summed it up perfectly)
Empowering Women in Games
One of the most inspiring aspects of Gamescom Asia was meeting strong, visionary women in the gaming industry. It was incredible to connect with leaders like Agnes Kim (Xbox) Kah Hui Teo (Keywords Studios), Luna Javier (Altitude Games), Shiny Aprilia (Agate International), Marina Barthelemy (Pix Capital), Yolanda (Paradox), and Yujin Bae (Xbox). Their journeys and accomplishments reaffirmed the importance of inclusivity and diversity in our industry.
I also had the honour of participating in the Women in Games Asia panel, hosted by Kah Hui Teo at the Xbox Discovery Day. This session was a powerful opportunity to discuss actionable ways to increase women’s participation in gaming through intentional support and policies.
“Engaging with industry leaders on building a more inclusive gaming landscape was deeply inspiring,”
Shagufta Khan
Moments like these reflect Second Quest’s commitment to empowering diverse voices and fostering community-driven growth.
A Partnership That Drives Growth: Thank You, GGJ
The Global Game Jam has always been about creativity, collaboration, and community—and this experience amplified those values. The sponsorship allowed us to connect, learn, and grow while strengthening our commitment to creating games that bring people together.
“Global Game Jam’s support for our participation at Gamescom aligns perfectly with our vision of building games that foster creativity and community”
Yadu Rajiv (Chief Creative Officer at Second Quest, & Executive Committee Member of GGJ)
Looking Ahead
Gamescom Asia 2024 has been a transformative experience for Second Quest. The insights, connections, and validation we received have energized us as we continue building our studio and debut title. With the support of the Global Game Jam and the incredible network we’ve built at Gamescom, we’re more motivated than ever to bring immersive, community-centric games to life.
To everyone who shared their knowledge and time with us at Gamescom Asia, and to the GGJ community, thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we’re shaping the future of gaming—one connection and one story at a time.
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