23/07/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ #๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ก๐๐ซ๐'๐ฌ ๐๐ง ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ'๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฏ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐จ.
A Weekend at PGDX 2025: Discovering the PH Gaming Scene
I never really considered myself a gamer. Sure, I have been playing first-person shooters like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile even before the pandemic, and just this year, I have been grinding hard on Valorant, trying to climb out of Iron II. But outside of those titles, I barely know anything about gaming culture or hardware, which is why I never imagined I would enjoy an event like a game developer expo, let alone feel the belongingness in a space built for the wider gaming community.
When I received a media pass to the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) 2025, I came with zero expectations. In my mind, my only task was to film my friends from UP Gaming Guild and edit their videos. No research, no checklist of booths to visitโI honestly went there because I was bored since it was a three-day weekend event and just wanted to support my UPGG friends.
But stepping inside the venue felt like stumbling into Disneylandโif Disneyland was built for gamers.
Being Immersed in Gaming Culture
The halls inside the SMX Convention Center Manila were packed with booths and brands encouraging attendees to try out the latest peripheralsโfrom high-performance PCs to mechanical keyboards in every imaginable switch type. Before this event, I thought my dream setup was just a minimalist white PC with a keyboard soft enough to press for long hours and headphones quiet enough to block out noise whenever I play Valorant and edit videos. But as I hopped from one booth to another, I found myself learning about specs I had never paid attention to details beforeโhow some monitors made movements look incredibly smooth, how certain keyboards felt both quicker and softer to press, and how even the smallest design choices could affect gameplay until I felt it firsthand.
Among all the installations, the highlight for me was the F1 racing simulators. Multiple booths had setups where you could sit in a cockpit, grip the steering wheel, and race as if you were in the โEDSA Grand Prixโ. For someone who only watched Formula 1, it was surreal to โdriveโ the cars of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, even if I spent most of my laps spinning off into the grass and gravel, and bumping into the barriers. All that crashing gave me a new level of respect for my favorite drivers and how they manage their own struggles on track. Watching them is one thing, but trying it myself made me realize how hard it really isโbut I still had so much fun!
By Day 3, one of the simulator booths had drawn a huge crowd as it turned into a real competition. Participants lined up, each trying to clock the fastest speed record and win the prizeโa Bezel monitor. You could feel the mix of excitement and tension in the air, especially since everyone wanted to push the car to its limit, but one wrong move or a single damage could end their drive entirely.
But racing was not the only attraction. Scattered across the halls were other setups where you could casually compete with friends: Tekken 8 stations for one-on-one battles, nostalgic Tetris matches at the Tito Gaming corner, Valorant and other popular PC titles where players queued up to win prizes, and even a Beyblade area that felt like a throwback for anyone who grew up spinning tops with their schoolmates.
Vibes Inside the Expo
The energy of PGDX 2025 was unlike anything I expected. Live matches featuring NCAA Esports teams drew loud cheers from the crowd, with parents and friends rooting for the players. The atmosphere never dippedโevery corner of the venue had something happening, from product demos, interactive activities, and workshops. Cosplay brought an extra layer of excitement. I caught sight of Myrtle Sarrosa as Rumi from Kpop Demon Hunters. She literally showed how itโs done done done! The hall was a parade of fandom: Deadpool weaving through the crowd, Hinata Shoyo from Haikyuu!! posing for photos, and even characters from Genshin Impact I loved seeing brought to life.
It was also nice to see gaming organizations from different universities sharing the space. Aside from UPGGโs amazing booth, there were neighboring setups like Loyola Gaming (ADMU), Kyusi Esports (QCU), JRU Sports (JRU), and more. Each of them proudly shares the happenings in their schoolโs gaming scene, from their events to upcoming tournaments. Some even sold their own merch, team jerseys and lanyards, which made the booths feel even more connected to their school pride.
Discovering Indie Games
For someone who does not consider herself a gamer, one of the most memorable parts of my expo experience was discovering indie gamesโmany developed by Filipino creators, some even by university students from the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde. What stood out was how these games drew from Filipino life and culture. Langit Lupa evoked childhood play, Lolaโs Lutong-Bahay paid homage to Filipino home cooking, and Laro Tayo featured traditional street games. Seeing these titles showcased on such a big platform felt important. Indeed, Filipino stories can thrive in global gaming spaces, especially knowing these games are already available on platforms like Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Freebies and Takeaways
No gaming convention is complete without freebies! I walked in with one bag and walked out juggling two more, filled with stickers, cup noodles, energy drinks, t-shirts, and other merch I had not planned to collect but could not resist. But more than the physical loot, I left with something much more important: an appreciation for what expos like PGDX represent. Despite the heavy rain that lasted throughout the three-day expo, the event was still packedโproof of just how strong the attendeesโ interest was. It is not just a gathering for hardcore gamers; rather, it is a space where culture, technology, and community all intersect, where even someone outside the gaming scene can find themself drawn into its energy, excitement, and passion.
Article by Alessandria Corral
