G-STAR 2025 is about to transform Busan into the global epicenter of gaming. Starting November 12, 2025 with the Korea Game Awards and running through November 16, this year’s event brings together 1,273 companies from 44 countries across 3,269 booths at BEXCO. Despite concerns about major publishers skipping the event for Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show, G-STAR 2025 has actually grown compared to last year, proving Korea’s game exhibition remains essential for anyone serious about the industry.
The sheer scale of this year’s event is staggering. Both Exhibition Halls at BEXCO will be packed, with Korean powerhouses dominating Hall 1 and international giants setting up shop in Hall 2. NCsoft is taking the main sponsor role for the first time, signaling just how important this event has become. Whether you’re hunting for the next indie hit at the Indie Showcase 2.0: Galaxy powered by Steam, networking at business-to-business sessions from November 13-15, or just soaking in the gaming culture at public exhibitions through November 16, G-STAR 2025 has something for everyone.
Korean Gaming Giants Leading the Charge
NCsoft is pulling out all the stops as this year’s main sponsor, setting up a massive 300-section booth that will be impossible to miss. The centerpiece is Aion 2, their highly anticipated MMORPG sequel that officially launches on November 19, just days after G-STAR wraps up. Attendees can create customized Aion 2 characters on-site and dive into dungeon experiences that showcase the combat system. Anyone who tries the demo gets special coupons valid for the official launch, making this booth essential for fans of the franchise.
Beyond Aion 2, NCsoft is showing off Cinder City, an open-world shooting game from their subsidiary Bigfire Games, along with publishing titles Time Takers by Mistyl Games and Limit Zero Breakers by Big Game Studio. They’re even teasing an unannounced title that hasn’t been revealed anywhere else. With the biggest booth presence at G-STAR 2025, NCsoft is making a statement about their ambitions for both Korean and global markets.
Krafton, Netmarble, and the Heavy Hitters
Krafton returns with one of the largest booth allocations, likely bringing updates on inZOI and Project ARC also known as PUBG: Blind Spot. There’s speculation they might reveal progress on the Palworld Mobile collaboration with Pocketpair, which is slated for 2025 release. Given how successful their 2024 G-STAR appearance was, expectations are sky-high for what they’ll unveil this year.
Netmarble is going absolutely massive with 145 demo stations spread across 112 booths. They’re presenting four new titles including Project Evilbane and Solo Leveling: KARMA, both making their worldwide public debut at G-STAR 2025. The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin and MonGil: STAR DIVE round out their announced lineup, but they’re also operating an outdoor booth for the mysterious unannounced title SOL: enchant. When a publisher commits this many resources to an event, you know they’re bringing their A-game.
The Complete Korean Publisher Roster
Webzen anchors Exhibition Hall 1 with booth E09, one of the largest allocations at the show. They’re showcasing Gate of Gates, a new apocalypse strategic defense game, alongside an undisclosed Mu IP project that has longtime fans buzzing. Gravity is bringing Ragnarok Online Project 1.5 as their flagship demo, plus Ragnarok 3 and Ragnarok Abyss for a total of 18 playable titles across their booth space. That’s an insane amount of content from a single publisher.
Pearl Abyss is expected to finally let people go hands-on with DokeV, their stylized open-world game that’s been teased for years. Smilegate will be there presenting not just games but also hosting a Game Culture Forum focused on improving gaming accessibility for disabled gamers through their Hope Studio initiative. WeMade Connect is bringing the subculture title N.O.A.H., while Devsisters partners with the Google Play booth to showcase Cookie Run: OvenSmash ahead of its March 2026 launch. Neowiz is championing indie development by featuring SANABI Gaiden: The Day of Possession, a follow-up to Wonder Potion’s acclaimed SANABI.
International Developers and Publishers Taking Over Hall 2
While Korean companies dominate Exhibition Hall 1, Hall 2 belongs to the international gaming industry. Warhorse Studios, Sega/Atlus, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Unity, and Blizzard Entertainment are all confirmed with booth spaces. These aren’t small presences either. They’re setting up full exhibition experiences with on-site events designed to engage fans of their existing franchises while teasing what’s coming next.
Valve is returning after a successful 2024 appearance, participating in the Indie Showcase 2.0: Galaxy through distributor Komodo. This means Steam Deck will have a presence at the show, along with curated indie titles that Valve wants to highlight to the Korean and Asian markets. For smaller developers, getting featured in Valve’s showcase can be career-changing, so competition for those slots is fierce.
The Indie Showcase That Could Launch Careers
G-STAR Indie Showcase 2.0: Galaxy powered by Steam is where unknown developers become tomorrow’s success stories. This curated presentation spotlights the best indie games from Korea and around the world, giving them visibility they could never afford through traditional marketing. Last year’s showcase featured titles that went on to secure publishing deals and funding based solely on their G-STAR reception.
The indie section isn’t just about showing games. It’s structured networking, with dedicated times for developers to meet publishers, investors, and potential collaborators. The IP Connect meetings facilitate business matchmaking between studios and companies with resources. For independent developers, G-STAR represents one of the best return-on-investment opportunities in Asia to get noticed by people who can actually fund and publish their games.
Beyond the Exhibition Floor
G-CON 2025, the conference component running alongside the exhibition, features over 150 sessions covering narrative design, console development, art direction, sound design, and business strategy. Global voices from major studios share insights that attendees can immediately apply to their own projects. These aren’t generic motivational talks but deep technical dives into specific challenges and solutions.
The Korea Game Awards on November 12 kicks everything off, recognizing excellence across categories from best indie game to technical achievement. Winners get more than trophies. They get instant credibility and visibility that translates into sales and opportunities. The awards ceremony draws industry decision-makers who use it as a scouting opportunity for talent and projects worth investing in.
The G-STAR Cup esports tournament features Overwatch 2 this year, divided into professional athletes and student categories for middle school, high school, and college players. Prize pools and sponsorship opportunities make this a legitimate competitive event, not just a side attraction. Smilegate and the Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency are co-hosting, bringing serious production value and broadcasting to a wider audience.
Why G-STAR 2025 Matters More Than Ever
Korea’s game industry is growing at an explosive rate, and G-STAR serves as the annual proof point for that growth. With over 550 million gamers across Asia and a 28 percent compound annual growth rate in India alone, the region represents the future of gaming. Companies that skip G-STAR are missing opportunities to connect with markets that will dominate the next decade of industry growth.
The event also serves as a cultural bridge. Western developers get direct access to Asian gaming preferences, business practices, and partnership opportunities that are difficult to navigate from overseas. Asian developers gain exposure to Western publishing channels, platform holders, and investment networks. The cross-pollination that happens during G-STAR’s four days often results in deals announced months later.
FAQs
When exactly does G-STAR 2025 take place?
G-STAR 2025 runs from November 12-16, 2025 at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea. The Korea Game Awards kick off on November 12, followed by the Welcome Reception. The main BTC public exhibition runs November 13-16, while the BTB business-to-business section operates November 13-15 for industry professionals.
How many companies are participating in G-STAR 2025?
A total of 1,273 companies from 44 countries are participating in G-STAR 2025, operating 3,269 booths across BEXCO’s exhibition halls. This represents growth compared to the 2024 event, despite earlier concerns that major publishers might skip the show.
Who is the main sponsor of G-STAR 2025?
NCsoft is the main sponsor for G-STAR 2025, marking their first time in this role. They’re setting up a massive 300-section booth to showcase Aion 2, which launches on November 19, along with several other titles including an unannounced project.
What major games are being showcased at G-STAR 2025?
Major titles include NCsoft’s Aion 2, Netmarble’s Project Evilbane and Solo Leveling: KARMA making worldwide debuts, Krafton’s inZOI and Project ARC updates, Webzen’s Gate of Gates, Gravity’s Ragnarok Online Project 1.5, Pearl Abyss’s DokeV playable demo, and Devsisters’ Cookie Run: OvenSmash. Many companies also have unannounced titles they’re revealing for the first time.
Can the general public attend G-STAR 2025?
Yes, the BTC public exhibition is open to all attendees from November 13-16, 2025. The BTB business-to-business section from November 13-15 is restricted to industry professionals. Tickets and registration information are available on the official G-STAR website at gstar.or.kr.
What is the Indie Showcase 2.0: Galaxy?
The Indie Showcase 2.0: Galaxy is a curated presentation powered by Steam and facilitated through Valve’s distributor Komodo. It spotlights the best indie games from Korea and internationally, providing visibility and networking opportunities with publishers, investors, and platform holders. It’s one of the most valuable opportunities for independent developers in Asia.
Are international companies participating in G-STAR 2025?
Yes, Exhibition Hall 2 features major international developers and publishers including Warhorse Studios, Sega/Atlus, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Unity, Blizzard Entertainment, and Valve. They’re setting up full exhibition spaces with demos, events, and fan engagement activities alongside the Korean companies in Hall 1.
What is G-CON 2025?
G-CON 2025 is the conference component running alongside the exhibition, featuring over 150 sessions on game development topics including narrative design, console development, art direction, sound design, and business strategy. Industry veterans from global studios present technical insights and practical knowledge that attendees can immediately apply to their projects.
Conclusion
G-STAR 2025 represents everything that makes Korea’s gaming industry essential to the global market. With 1,273 companies, 3,269 booths, and participation from 44 countries, this isn’t just another trade show. It’s where billion-dollar deals get made, where unknown indie developers find publishers, and where the next generation of gaming hits get their first public reception. NCsoft’s Aion 2, Netmarble’s massive lineup, international heavyweights in Hall 2, and the indie talent at Showcase 2.0: Galaxy all combine to create four days that will shape gaming’s future. Whether you’re a developer hunting for funding, a publisher scouting talent, or a gamer wanting to experience unreleased titles before anyone else, G-STAR 2025 from November 12-16 at BEXCO in Busan is where you need to be. The Korean gaming industry is booming, and G-STAR is the annual proof that this growth isn’t slowing down anytime soon.