Here're six reasons why gamers cannot miss out on this year's GameStart Asia

We tell you why you should spend your weekend there.

Jonathan Lim | October 07, 2016, 05:18 PM

2016 marks the third edition of GameStart Asia, Southeast Asia's premier video game convention. The convention will be held at the Suntec City Convention Centre and will be there this Friday to Sunday (Oct 7 - 10).

What could possibly top last year's Playstation booth that unveiled PS VR?

Well quite a bit.

Here are our six top picks for this year's GameStart Asia which we think you shouldn't miss if you want to call yourself a gamer:

 

1. Be the first few in the world to play Final Fantasy XV

Need we say more? This is one of the most anticipated games of the year. It will be launching end-November but you'll be one of the first to try it out at GameStart Asia.

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The folks showcasing the game are so secretive that they don't allow photographing or videoing the game, so you've got to head down to see it yourself.

 

2. Xbox has arrived at GameStart Asia

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GameStart Asia 2015 was a coup for the convention when PlayStation set up a huge double-storey booth last year showcasing its VR headset technology, but sadly Microsoft was missing out on the action.

This year, the gaming titan is making their debut appearance and will be giving gamers a chance to play Gears of War 4 a week before it is officially released. Besides GOW4 there will be other Xbox games available at the booth.

3. PlayStation shifts focus to e-Sports

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In an unusual but welcomed move, Sony will not be showcasing any new games or technology this year. Instead it will be hosting a slew of e-Sport tournaments for several games.

With e-Sports slowly gaining mainstream prominence with increased streaming of high-payout tournaments and gradual acceptance as a spectator sport, it doesn't seem like such a radical move for Sony to eschew showcasing games and focus on the exciting e-Sports ecosystem that has sprouted around its games.

If you think this is some sort of cop out, think again. Sony has invited several notable e-Sports royalty to compete over the three days, including SF legends Daigo, Xian and Infiltration.

_tp_9253 Source: GameStart Asia

Speaking of e-Sports, local gaming peripheral firm Armaggeddon is also hosting an Overwatch tournament at the convention.

 

4. Look out for local games, especially Stifled

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GameStart Asia has always been a big supporter of game-makers in Singapore and this year is no different. There is an entire pavilion dedicated to locally made games for visitors to check out.

The most exciting and probably most anticipated game that is showcased at the pavilion is Stifled.

Stifled describes itself as a "mic-enabled sound-based stealth thriller". You essentially are blind as a bat in-game and can only map your surroundings through sound -- think of yourself as the Daredevil or a bat using echo-location.

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The game (which can be played with a VR headset or normally on a monitor) strives to scare the living daylights out of you. When the jump scares makes you yelp or scream, your microphone will pick up the sound and may attract even more scary stuff towards you. So don't breathe too hard into your microphone.

Check out the trailer that showcases why this game is "mic-enabled":

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5. Compete and win free stuff

What's a gaming convention without swag right? Aside from goodie bags for the first 300 visitors daily, visitors can also take part in several contests at GameStart.

Hang around the Gears of War 4 booth long enough and you may just get selected to play a death match against other GameStart visitors. Winners walk away with a free copy of the game.

Play games for free and win free stuff? Naise. Photo Credit: Mark Teo/Afterdark Facility Play games for free and win free stuff? Naise. Source: GameStart Asia

Another quirky contest that runs throughout the convention is the Secret Lab chair race. Race around a short course and clock the fastest timing of the day and you'll wheel away a gaming chair from Secret Lab.

Photo Credit: Mark Teo/Afterdark Facility Photo Credit: Mark Teo/Afterdark Facility

Source: GameStart Asia

6. Lovely people at GameStart Asia (Photographs from GameStart Asia)

Elicia Lee, the lady responsible for making GameStart Asia a reality. Elicia Lee, the lady responsible for making GameStart Asia a reality.

Photo Credit: Mark Teo/Afterdark Facility Photo Credit: Mark Teo/Afterdark Facility

Photo Credit: Mark Teo/Afterdark Facility

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