The 5th Edition of PLAYCON, Malta’s premier event for game development and esports, unveiled its dates and agenda yesterday with a launch event at Radio Rooftop, Mercury Towers, St. Julian’s.
This well-attended gathering marked PLAYCON’s significant evolution from its inaugural 2019 event to a leading platform for creators, publishers, tech entrepreneurs, investors, and students. In his opening address, Kersten James Chircop, Co-Founder and Business Development Director at GMR, highlighted GMR’s instrumental role in this growth, noting that the last edition alone attracted over 25,000 attendees, showcasing PLAYCON’s in educating the general public about game development and esports, and the diverse career opportunities within these sectors.
Ivan Filletti, CEO at GamingMalta, emphasised the commitment to fostering innovation and talent. He stated, “PLAYCON is at the forefront of Malta’s vision to grow its gaming and esports sector. The event creates a unique space where local developers, players, and industry innovators come together to showcase their talent and drive the sector forward. It’s about building a thriving gaming community that will fuel creativity, innovation, and long-term growth.”
Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, reiterated government support for the industry’s expansion. He noted, “PLAYCON is an important platform for Malta’s growing digital economy and gaming sector… Through targeted initiatives… we are not only nurturing local talent and creating meaningful career opportunities for our youths but also positioning Malta as a premier destination for global gaming and esports leaders.”
The launch saw strong attendance from various game development and esports industry stakeholders, including representatives from studios, esports organisations, educational institutions, and technology providers. Supporting partners, sponsors, and exhibitors also attended, fostering valuable networking and discussions crucial for industry collaboration and career advancement for local professionals.
The launch also announced two video game studios, Feenix and Hand Rock Studio, are establishing a presence in Malta later this year after participating in PLAYCON 2024. These new arrivals underscore the growing opportunities within the local ecosystem.
PLAYCON 2025 will run between the 8th – 9th (B2B) and 9th – 12th (B2C) October 2025, at the MFCC, featuring a comprehensive programme including exciting exhbitis, B2B summit, esports competitions, and student-focused educational sessions designed to further engage and educate attendees on opportunities within the sector.
