The global gaming industry is booming, and it’s not just about entertainment anymore. It’s a serious economic powerhouse, driving growth and creating jobs worldwide. Recognizing this shift, a key government department recently teamed up with leading industry groups to nurture local talent. The Department of Cultural Promotion, part of the Ministry of Culture, joined forces with the Thai Board Game Association and the Thai Game Software Industry Association. Together, and with support from ICONSIAM, they are pushing a bold plan to help local game creators shine on the world stage.
This big effort came to a head at the Thailand Game Festival 2025. It wrapped up with an exciting awards event, highlighting the best new board games and software. This included the Thailand Game Festival (TGF) 2025 and the Thailand Board Game Design (TBDC) 2025 closing ceremonies. The entire program focused on boosting the local game industry, which has become a major player in the digital economy.
The festival wasn’t just a party; it was a serious competition. Designers battled it out in both software and board game categories. This year saw an impressive 243 teams throw their hats into the ring. They gathered at Suralai Hall, located on the 7th floor of ICONSIAM in Bangkok’s Khlong San District. This event is a clear signal that the nation views gaming as a vital part of its future, ready to compete internationally.
Warapan Chaiyachanasiri, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion, shared some sharp insights. She pointed out that building up the game industry is now a key way to power the national economy. It brings benefits across the board, from economics and culture to education and international connections. She stressed that we simply can’t ignore the game sector. It has huge potential to grow both at home and abroad. Plus, it helps people learn new skills and boosts the fast-growing digital economy and entertainment business.
Chaiyachanasiri’s views line up perfectly with the nation’s 20-Year Strategy. Specifically, the second part of that plan focuses on being competitive through new ideas and technology. Digital industries, like gaming, are at the core of this. Games are a rapidly growing industry with a lot of money involved. By fostering creativity and new tech, local developers can make products that stand out around the world.
Kittipong Pruksarung, who heads the Thai Game Software Industry Association, elaborated on the festival’s goals. He explained that the event aims to spark new ideas, build skills, and grow knowledge among game professionals. It also helps them connect and provides money to create games with a unique local flavor. This includes support for developers, setting up exhibitions, and organizing design contests. He sees it as a way to boost understanding of gaming’s value. Ultimately, it helps cement the nation’s spot as a major game industry hub in the region.
The design contest, backed by ICONSIAM, had two main sections. One was for software games, and the other for board games. For software games this year, they even included the ROBLOX platform. The theme was “Thai Games… Thai Style,” encouraging creators to weave local identity into their designs. In 2025, 83 teams and 210 individuals signed up for the software challenge.
The process was rigorous. Participants attended workshops on making eye-catching game cover pages and screenshots. They learned to sharpen their game concepts and master the basics of game design. Crucially, they practiced pitching their ideas to judges. This helped them refine their games even further. Finally, the judges picked the top 10 teams to compete in the last round. This kind of hands-on support is exactly what new talent needs to grow.
Meanwhile, Wattanachai Treedecha, President of the Thai Board Game Association, talked about the board game competition. This was its second year, and the theme explored “Cultural Wisdom Heritage.” A solid 160 teams applied. After an initial selection and a “Pitching Day,” only six teams moved on to the final round.
These finalists weren’t left alone. They got intensive workshops with experts. Representatives from the Department of Cultural Promotion and experienced board game mentors offered valuable advice. They shared techniques to highlight game features and improve development. A key part of this was “play testing” with mentors and other testers. This helped balance the games before they sent their files for prototype creation. It’s a thorough process, ensuring polished, market-ready products.
The Winners: Future Stars of Gaming
The competition brought out some truly creative ideas. Here’s a rundown of who took home the top honors:
Software Game Category
- Overall Winner: Play Alone Team for their game, Ta Khon : into Spirit’s Realm.
- ROBLOX Category Winner: Aj Ja Yang Na Team with their spooky game, NangRam (Horror).
- Icon Category Winner: One More Time Team and their game, TAKHON.
- Best Business Plan: Ignite Game Studio Team for Siamassagi.
- Best Presentation: Wishwork Team with Together with Tiger girl.
Board Game Category
- Overall Winner: Kan Nang Plakrop Team for Talung Puan Kuan Tai Pap.
- Second Runner-up: Vanta Studio Team with Thread of Tradition.
- Third Runner-up: Over the moon Team for their game, Tapian Porn.
- Popular Vote: Meeple Play Team for Khon.
- Art & Presentation Award: A team of students from Silpakorn University, also for Khon.