Legendary game developer John Romero, co-founder of id Software, is set to headline the 2026 Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show. The convention, scheduled to take place from October 29 to November 1, will return to Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
Romero, who is currently working on a new shooter and has been vocal about industry challenges, will deliver a keynote address titled 'Why We Still Make Games.' This presentation will delve into his extensive career, covering game development, overcoming obstacles, and navigating decades of industry evolution.
The announcement comes at a time when Romero's own studio, Romero Games, has faced setbacks. Last year, an in-progress project was canceled by its publisher, resulting in a substantial loss of development investment. Romero previously stated that the studio had 110 staff working on the canceled game.
Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show is anticipated to be approximately 20% larger than its 2025 iteration. The event aims to solidify Bangkok's position as a host for major international gaming conventions. Prakash Ramajillu, general manager of Koelnmesse Asia-Pacific, expressed confidence in the event's growth, noting the strong response from the industry.
In addition to Romero's keynote, the show will feature speakers from companies such as AdHoc Studio, Roblox, Tencent, and Godot. Exhibitors will include major industry players like Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Sega, and The Pokemon Company, among others.