Kota Kinabalu: Tabletop gaming may seem an unlikely driver of tourism, but Sabah is betting on it, with the State drawing players and creators from across the region for the second year running at the Sabah National Tabletop Con 2.0.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the event, held at the Sabah Art Gallery from June 20 to 21, has grown significantly from its modest debut last year.
“Last year, we started small to see if people would like tabletop events in Sabah. Today, I am proud to say the event is twice as big. We have brought together 20 top tabletop vendors and creators from Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei,” he said when officiating the event, Saturday.
His speech was delivered by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai.
Jafry credited the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STTOS) as the driving force behind the conference’s expansion, saying the agency had gone far beyond its usual remit to position Sabah as a regional gaming hub.
“The STTOS did not just support this initiative … they made it happen. They worked tirelessly with our local partners and government agencies to build this wonderful platform,” he said.
Additionally, he pointed out the new strategic partnership certificate signed between STTOS and the Sabah Art Gallery, describing it as a long-term commitment to Sabah’s creative economy.
A cross-border board game competition titled “My Trip in Sabah” formed one of the centrepieces of the event, with the Malaysia edition finals held on the day alongside an exhibition match between the Singapore and Malaysia champions.
The game uses strategic mechanics that require players to navigate Sabah’s actual geography and engage with its cultural landmarks.
Jafry said the competition is a creative and engaging way to promote the State to a wider audience.
“Through play, players learn about our geography, landmarks and culture. This match is a direct result of the STTOS’ efforts to build strong bonds and friendship between two nations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Josie when met at the sidelines said the event is expected to attract between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors over its two-day run, with a daily target of around 1,000.
“We hope to grow this tabletop competition in the region in a bigger way in the years to come. We find that this tabletop competition is good to promote friendship, to promote a new way of spending time together and to build connectivity,” she said.
Josie said tabletop gaming had the potential to become a distinct form of lifestyle tourism for Sabah alongside its digital connectivity push.
She said the decision to move the venue from Imago Shopping Mall, where the inaugural edition was held last year, to the Sabah Art Gallery was deliberate.
“We thought if we have it in the Art Gallery, it will suit better with the community. If the crowd becomes bigger, we will find another space,” she said.
Meanwhile, the exhibitor participation more than doubled compared to last year, rising from nine to 20, with Josie expressing hope that more countries would join future editions.
The event was organised by the STTOS in partnership with #Laiplayleow and D’Hiejrah Global, with support from the State Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Ministry, the Sabah Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia and the Sabah Art Gallery.
The weekend’s programming also included an outdoor night picnic, blending tabletop culture with a relaxed community lifestyle for families and casual visitors.
Also present were the State Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin, STTOS Managing Director Wendy Clare Stephen, Sabah Art Gallery Director Sara Elisya Ahmad Shah, #Laiplayleow Singapore Founder cum #Laiplayleow Malaysia Founding Advisor Benjamin Leow, #Laiplayleow Malaysia Co-Founder Shone Lyau and #Laiplayleow Co-Founder Singapore and Malaysia Jonathan Mun, among others.
