It’s always encouraging to see more representation on the global stage, and last year’s Summer Game Fest had its fair share of smaller but no less important presentations, including the inaugural Southeast Asian Games Showcase. This year, the celebration of regional developers will return to the annual event on 6 June, 11pm (GMT+8), with five upcoming titles set to be featured.
Leading the charge is TCG Card Shop Simulator from Malaysian indie developer O.P. Neon Games, which has launched in early access and lets players open their own local game store, hire staff, host events, stock shelves with the latest booster packs (or crack them and collect the cards for themselves), and expand their shop.
Following in the spirit of playing cards, the Indonesia-based Manikibo brings Montabi, a creature-collector roguelike deckbuilder that involves assembling a team of unique Montabi, mastering their abilities, synergising their strategic strengths, and saving the city in tactical turn-based combat.
Building Relationships, meanwhile, takes on a literal significance in more ways than one. Hailing from indie Thai developer Tanat Boozayaangool, the one-man show behind Tan Ant Games, the goofy title transforms players into a building that rolls, jump, and wave-dashes across a cosy island — while meeting and romancing eligible structures, after getting on like a, well, house on fire.
The sequel to Malaysian studio Metronomik’s action-music adventure, No Straight Roads 2 returns with two new characters who join Mayday and Zuke of Bunk Bed Junction as they travel around the world to battle against number one artists from each area they visit. Alongside new locations and character-specific puzzles, it will introduce the ability to customise the band’s travel van with stickers.
Steering into psychological-horror territory, Am I Nina — helmed by Vancouver-based studio HO! Games made up primarily of Asian-Canadian developers, including Malaysian director Jeremy Ho — follows a daughter who must convince her mother that she’s indeed her daughter by combining words together in her brain to gain her trust.
In terms of hosts, Southeast Asian Games Showcase 2026 will gather various industry personalities and professionals from across the Southeast Asian community and global diaspora, such as:
- Arief Johan, Co-Founder, Southeast Asian Games Showcase (Malaysia)
- Jay Wong, Co-Founder Kopiforge (Singapore)
- Michael Higham, Editor, IGN (Philippines, United States)
- Nhi Do, Voice Actor, Studio Producer, sunset visitor 斜陽過客 (Vietnam, Canada)
- Samantha Low, Co-Founder, Southeast Asian Games Showcase (Malaysia)
- Sarah Johana, Indie Game Marketer (Indonesia)
- Victoria Tran, Communications Director, Innersloth (Vietnam, Canada)
The presentation will stream on YouTube and Twitch on 6 June, 11pm (GMT+8) / 8am PT / 11am ET, while Summer Game Fest 2026 takes place from 5 to 8 June.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Yong Le
