PLAYCON, Malta’s flagship event for game development, esports and immersive entertainment, returns to the MFCC, Ta’ Qali, from 18th to 22nd November for its sixth edition. Organised and sponsored by GamingMalta, the foundation responsible for promoting and developing Malta’s video games and esports ecosystem, the event showcases Malta’s game development industry, strengthens its international connections and reinforces the link between education and professional opportunities.
Last year’s edition drew over 30,000 visitors, the highest attendance to date, including over 3,000 local and international school students.
Bringing the International Games Industry Together
The PLAYCON programme opens with the two-day Summit on 18th and 19th November, where international speakers will share their expertise with local studios and industry professionals through keynotes and panel discussions. During the Reverse Pitch, publishers and investors will outline what they look for in new projects, giving studios a clearer understanding of what the market expects. The Indie Studio Pitches & Live Competition will then see independent studios present their games directly to international publishers, investors and decision-makers.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Talent
On 19th and 20th November, the PLAYCON Expo opens to students, who will explore the sector first-hand and discover career paths across development, design, technology and esports. The focus on education builds on GamingMalta’s ongoing work with Unity, Unreal Engine, the Academy of Interactive Media (AIM) and Malta’s educational institutes to develop local talent.
From Grassroots Esports to the International Stage
Esports also forms a key part of the programme for students, with teams from schools outside Malta competing against local students. BLAST, which has a multi-year partnership with GamingMalta, will also be among the exhibitors, reinforcing the connection between international esports and grassroots activity on the island.
The partnership has also received international recognition. Earlier this year, GamingMalta and BLAST were jointly shortlisted for Industry Development of the Year at the inaugural Esports Leaders Honours, alongside SAVVY Acquires Moonton, Riot Games X Betting, PIF, Silver Lake & Affinity Partners Acquires EA, and others. The nomination recognised their collaboration in bringing Tier 1 esports tournaments to Malta and their long-term investment in the island’s esports infrastructure.
Opening PLAYCON to the Wider Community
On 21st and 22nd November, the expo opens to the general public, bringing Malta’s games industry closer to the wider community and giving visitors the opportunity to experience games hands-on and meet the people behind them.
Ivan Filletti, CEO at GamingMalta, said:
“PLAYCON is GamingMalta’s flagship celebration of the video games and esports ecosystem, bringing together the people, ideas and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. Through PLAYCON, we create connections between local studios and global partners, inspire the next generation of talent, and reinforce Malta’s position as a dynamic destination for games development and esports.”
Supporting the Ambitions of Malta Vision 2050
PLAYCON also reflects the ambitions of Malta Vision 2050, which identifies gaming as one of the country’s priority sectors for sustainable economic growth. The strategy sets out to establish Malta as a hub for interactive entertainment, attract new video game studios to the island, host Tier 1 esports events alongside grassroots competitions, and build a strong domestic talent pipeline through education and industry partnerships. By connecting studios with international investors, introducing thousands of students to careers in the sector and bringing world-class esports to Malta, PLAYCON is a clear example of how game development, esports and education form part of the country’s long-term economic direction.
Visit the official PLAYCON website for programme information, passes and visitor details.
