We were having a blast of a weekend experiencing all sorts of tabletop gaming greatness at this year’s TableCon Quest, a two-day tabletop gaming convention, that was held at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore.

Not only did we get to witness a demo for the upcoming Ultraman Card Game and various board games from major and indie publishers, but we also had the lovely opportunity to catch up with Elicia Lee, Managing Director of Eliphant, and co-organizer of TableCon Quest alongside Genesis Frontier.

For those who may not know, Eliphant is also the organizer of GameStart Asia, a premier gaming event in Singapore from 2014 to 2019, while Genesis Frontier is the official distributor of popular Japanese card games such as Cardfight!! Vanguard in Asia.

Interview was edited for clarity. 

From GameStart to TableCon Quest

With all the gaming convention experiences such as organizing GameStart Asia and now TableCon Quest, we were wondering what was Elicia’s journey behind running these gaming events, as well as the idea behind TableCon Quest.

To that, Elicia began telling her story: “My journey in running gaming conventions began when I was working in marketing for Electronic Arts (EA). At that time, Southeast Asia was often overlooked compared to the larger markets in the US and Europe. I had the opportunity to attend major events like the Tokyo Game Show and E3, which inspired me to create a similar event in Southeast Asia.”

“In 2013, I left EA and decided to take a risk by creating a gaming convention to highlight Singapore and demonstrate Southeast Asia’s potential as a strong gaming market. This led to the launch of GameStart Asia. Fortunately, the event was well-received, and I had strong support from partners like PlayStation, Bandai Namco, and Blizzard, as well as local gaming communities.”

“GameStart Asia ran successfully from 2014 to 2019. Initially, it focused solely on digital video games, but in 2017 we incorporated tabletop games, as my team and I enjoyed them. This addition was met with great enthusiasm from attendees.”

“However, with the onset of COVID-19, we had to pause our events. During the pandemic, many people turned to gaming, both video and card games, which increased demand for interactive, face-to-face experiences post-pandemic. This shift led to a new opportunity. Genesis Frontier, a long-time partner of ours, suggested we try running our own tabletop convention. This idea resonated with us, and thus, TableCon Quest was born.”

Why Cats?

A notable theme of TableCon Quest seems to be cats as there were many artworks based on the adorable feline critters.

When asked about the theming of cats, Elicia said, “The prevalence of cat-themed artwork at our events stems from the collective love for animals within our team, with a particular fondness for cats. While our team includes both cat and dog enthusiasts, we have a higher number of cat lovers. This affinity naturally led to incorporating a cat into our logo, which we all found adorable.”

“As we developed the key art, merchandise, and designs for the events, the inclusion of cats became a recurring theme. For instance, one of our events passes features an illustration based on Chloe, a cat initially part of our office when we first started. Chloe, now adopted by one of our staff members, inspired the black and white cat on the VIP pass. Additionally, the black cat in our designs is modeled after my own cat, while the orange cat was the original design and isn’t based on any specific cat.”

“Our team’s enthusiasm for cats and their cute appeal has made them a central motif in our event artwork. Who knows? We might add more cat designs next year!”

Publishers’ Reception

Not only is TableCon Quest a place to enjoy boardgame with friends, or learn new ones – but several notable publishers have also attended the event to showcase their games including Bushiroad and Tsuburaya Productions, which we also had the opportunity to have an interview with.

In regards to the reception from publishers, Elicia said, “The reception has been quite positive, actually.”

“We’ve had interest from several Japanese publishers who attended. The feedback has been encouraging, especially since the demo stations for our games have consistently been occupied throughout the day. This level of engagement is a strong indicator of their interest and satisfaction.”

Similarities Between Tabletop Gaming and Video Games

Video games and tabletop gaming have always been similar. Many turn-based games have also evolved from tabletop roleplaying. In terms of the future of tabletop gaming, Elicia believed it will only continue to grow and evolve.

“As you mentioned, video gaming actually traces its roots back to tabletop gaming. In the past, people engaged in pen-and-paper games, and most of us have played Monopoly growing up. Many game mechanics and designs are adapted from these origins. For instance, in some of our local schools offering game design courses, students’ initial project in their first year is often to create a tabletop game before progressing to video games. So, as you rightly point out, the two are deeply intertwined.”

“The distinction lies in how video games have expanded and gained prominence, whereas tabletop gaming has retained a somewhat niche appeal. However, we’ve witnessed significant changes, particularly over the last decade, especially in the West. The United States and Europe host massive conventions with thriving communities. There’s a surge in interest in Japanese TCGs (Trading Card Games), Magic: The Gathering, and innovative board games gaining traction through platforms like Kickstarter.”

“Moreover, in Asia, including Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, there’s a burgeoning scene with indie developers creating their own tabletop games. I firmly believe in the potential of this market. The tabletop gaming sector is poised for continuous growth and evolution.”

TableCon Quest for Next Year

When asked if there would be another TableCon Quest next year, Elicia responded by saying “Our goal from the beginning was to make this an annual event, similar to how we started with GameStart. We began small and gradually grew the event over the years. The positive response we’ve received so far has encouraged us to aim to make TableCon Quest a yearly tradition. So yes, there will also be a TableCon Quest next year, although the venue has not yet been determined.”

As the interview was concluding, we asked Elicia if there were any messages to share with us, our readers, and those interested in tabletop gaming and TableCon Quest.

“Tabletop gaming is fantastic because it has a low barrier to entry,” Elicia said. “You don’t need a device or internet; all you need is a table, a friend, and the game itself. It can be as simple as a piece of paper, especially with tabletop RPGs that can be run with basic materials. This accessibility makes it appealing to a wide audience. Here at the event, we see families playing together, parents bonding with their kids, and friends enjoying games together. Personally, I even play board games with my mother; the variety of genres and themes is extensive, similar to video games.”

“We’re also witnessing interesting crossovers, where video games are adapted into board games. So, if you haven’t tried tabletop gaming yet, I highly recommend giving it a shot.”

“Speaking of which, Table Conquest was designed to be inclusive for everyone. We cater to hardcore gamers with trading card games and war games, but we also offer plenty of beginner-friendly options. For instance, we’re running beginner sessions for Dungeons and Dragons, and there’s a game library where people can rent and play games with friends. Many attendees are forming spontaneous groups to try new games together and make new friends.”

“There are numerous demos available, so people can come, try out different games, and decide if they want to purchase them. It’s not just about looking around; there’s a lot of hands-on interaction. You can participate in RPG sessions, join hosted game sessions, and interact with game developers and publishers who are showcasing their latest creations. Additionally, miniature painting is a popular activity here, offering a chance to create and take home beautifully crafted pieces for gaming or display.”

“In essence, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking to explore.”

That concludes the interview. We would like to thank Elicia Lee for taking the time to answer our questions and share more about TableCon Quest with us.