A Different Kind of Return
I had been to Germany before, though never in this way. This was my third visit, yet it carried a meaning unlike the others. My earlier trips were shaped by a course program, moments when I could quietly absorb knowledge, focused more on personal growth than on any specific outcome. This time was different; my ticket to Cologne was not for courses, but for Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gathering of the gaming industry. It was, in many ways, a new chapter, a business trip that carried the responsibility of showing what our corner of Indonesia could bring to the global stage.
Gamescom is not just another event; it is a place where technology, creativity, and communities converge. This year was particularly historic, with more than 1,500 exhibitors from 73 countries setting a new record. Reports ahead of the opening highlighted the rising focus on AI-driven storytelling, indie breakthroughs, and sustainability in digital entertainment. More than 300,000 visitors were expected to pass through Koelnmesse over the week, creating a mix of professionals, fans, and creators. Indonesia’s presence, too, was stronger than ever. Ten studios, including Agate, Busy Beaver, Digital Happiness, Kumagema, SLAB, Separuh Interactive, Gambir, Rireru Studio, GU Studio, and Lapakgaming were selected to showcase their games at the Indonesia Pavilion, a 60-square-meter space in Hall 03.2.
For me, this trip was more than just about games. It was about collaboration, building bridges, and showing that Indonesian talent belongs in the same room as global innovators.
Between Bonn and Cologne
My base was not in Cologne itself but in Bonn, a smaller, quieter city just thirty minutes away by train. Bonn is known for being Beethoven’s birthplace, for its leafy streets, and for its rhythm that contrasts with Cologne’s buzzing energy. Each evening, after days spent in exhibition halls filled with screens, lights, and hurried footsteps, I returned to an Airbnb apartment tucked into one of Bonn’s residential corners. The building was modest, its surroundings calm, and I often found myself grateful for the balance it gave.
Living in Bonn for the week gave me a glimpse of everyday life in a city that once served as West Germany’s capital but now feels more like a university town. In the mornings, I would walk past bakeries where the smell of fresh bread drifted into the street, and cyclists sped past on their way to work. Cafés spilled onto the sidewalks, filled with students talking over steaming mugs of coffee, and older couples lingering over breakfast. Evenings were slower, shop windows glowing softly, families strolling with ice cream, and the occasional sound of a violin drifting from a busker in the square.
It was a rhythm I came to appreciate. Bonn allowed me to catch my breath after the overwhelming energy of Gamescom. The train ride itself became a daily ritual, watching the Rhine move with quiet persistence, its waters carrying barges and reflections of villages along its banks. That passage between two cities reminded me that life often happens in transitions, not just in arrivals.
Inside Gamescom
On August 20, the doors of Koelnmesse opened, and the crowd poured in. The scale was overwhelming, endless halls filled with giant LED screens, cosplayers in intricate costumes, and overlapping conversations in German, English, Japanese, Korean, and Bahasa Indonesia. The Indonesia Pavilion opened with a meaningful gathering, attended by government leaders and key stakeholders who came together to show their support. Their presence was a reminder that this was more than just an exhibition booth; it was a collective step forward, a statement that Indonesia is ready to participate and contribute within the global community.
The days that followed were packed with activity. Two hundred twenty-two business-to-business meetings had been scheduled through the MeetToMatch platform, and I had prepared my pitch decks carefully, sometimes rehearsing late into the night. Each conversation felt like a small window into the future, with publishers from Europe curious about Southeast Asia, investors from North America exploring mobile markets, and fellow Asian developers eager to collaborate.
Beyond the meetings, I wandered the massive halls, stopping at panels on inclusivity in gaming, AI’s role in narrative design, and the future of cross-platform ecosystems. In the business area, the energy was focused but no less electric. To see fellow Indonesian developers introduce their creations to the world was deeply empowering.
On the last day, when the B2B section had closed, I allowed myself to step into the B2C area. It was crowded and alive, with tens of thousands of gamers lining up to try unreleased titles. I tried indie games from across the globe, immersing myself not just as a professional but as a player again. The joy was contagious, a reminder of why we make games in the first place, not just for deals or numbers, but for people, for communities, for shared experiences.
Reflections Beyond Business
Looking back, Gamescom 2025 was more than a calendar event; it was a mirror of what our industry could become. The B2B meetings were intense and required preparation, but they also left me inspired. Pitching was not just about selling; it was about listening, understanding what others were building, and seeing where we could grow together.
One evening, after a long day, I spoke with a developer from South Korea. We talked less about business and more about how our childhoods shaped our love for games. Another time, I met a small indie team from Eastern Europe who told me that seeing Indonesia’s pavilion gave them courage to push forward, knowing that creativity could bloom from anywhere. These small exchanges reminded me that while Gamescom is measured in numbers, the true impact lies in the connections we carry home.
On Sunday, the day before leaving, I went to church. In the morning, I walked past the Cologne Cathedral one last time, its spires still as commanding as they had been on the first day. Afterward, I returned to the apartment in Bonn, packed slowly, and let myself rest. The next morning, at eleven, I left for Frankfurt Airport, carrying with me not just luggage but the quiet weight of the week.
Traveling from Bali to Jakarta to Frankfurt, living in Bonn, and working in Cologne, it all felt like crossing bridges. Between continents, between cultures, between personal and professional. Every bridge reminded me that this journey was not about me alone. It was about a community of Indonesian creators who dared to dream bigger, and about showing the world that our voices have a place in shaping the future of games.
Gamescom 2025 was not just business; it was a reminder that every journey, every meeting, and every story shared becomes part of something larger. May more Indonesian developers find their way here in the years ahead, carrying their own stories, their own bridges, and their own dreams. (H)