Pakistan Showcases at GDC 2025, Puts Local Game Developers on Global Radar

 By Farhan Ali • June 23, 2025

San Francisco, USA – Pakistan’s gaming industry hit a new high in March this year when local developers and companies made a standout appearance at Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, one of the world’s largest and most influential gaming events.

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Pakistan Enters the Global Arena

For years, Pakistan has been known for its growing base of mobile gamers and streamers. But GDC 2025 marked a new chapter: the country is now entering the international developer ecosystem.

More than a dozen Pakistani entities—including indie studios, tech parks, and education providers—participated at the event through booths, networking sessions, and official pitch forums.

The initiative was supported by:

• Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB)
  
• TechDestination Pakistan (MoITT)
  
• IGNITE
  
• Leading private studios like Arbisoft, FRAG Games, and Quixel (owned by Epic Games)
  

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What They Showed

The showcase included:

• Mobile and PC game demos built on Unity and Unreal Engine
  
• Interactive storytelling titles inspired by South Asian folklore
  
• Augmented reality and edutainment apps
  
• A special segment on game art outsourcing and VFX talent from Pakistan
  

Games like Sinf-e-Aahan, Truck Tycoon, and Karachi Drift drew attention for their culturally unique narratives and locally stylized aesthetics.

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A New Export Frontier

Gaming is now seen as an emerging export economy for Pakistan’s tech sector. According to TechDestination, the country exported over $200 million worth of digital games and content assets in 2024.

With low production costs, a large pool of artists, and growing coding expertise, international studios are increasingly looking to Pakistan for:

• Co-development partnerships
  
• 3D asset outsourcing
  
• Quality assurance and liveops services
  

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Global Reactions

Industry experts at GDC praised the Pakistani delegation:

“This is a region full of untapped creativity. The production quality and narrative originality coming from these teams was genuinely impressive.”
– GDC Panelist, Unity Emerging Markets Forum

Pakistani studios were also featured in VentureBeat, Polygon, and GamesIndustry.biz post-conference recaps.

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What It Means for the Future

The GDC appearance signals more than just international visibility—it reflects Pakistan’s shifting identity in tech: from service-based to content-generating.

With strong state backing, venture interest, and a deep user base, Pakistan is poised to play a serious role in the global gaming supply chain.

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Final Thoughts

Pakistan at GDC 2025 is a statement of intent: that the country’s young game developers, designers, and storytellers are ready to contribute to the global digital economy—not just as users, but as builders.

The road ahead includes more international collaborations, bigger e-sports ecosystems, and game IPs that can reach across borders.

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Sources:

• Reuters: Pakistan Showcases at GDC 2025
  
• TechDestination Pakistan
  
• Mettis Global: Gaming Sector Growth
  
• IGNITE – National Technology Fund
  
• PSEB: IT Export Reports 2025