Every year, around October, SPIEL Essen, the world’s largest board game fair, takes place in Essen, Germany. In 2023, the event attracted over 193,000 visitors from 85 countries and showcased more than 1,200 new games. Among the highlights were two Vietnamese titles, "Cuộc Đua Sao Chổi" and "Lớp Học Mật Ngữ", published by EverJoy Publishing, now introduced to the international audience under the name Zodiac Rush.
EverJoy is a regular exhibitor at SPIEL Essen. In 2022, the company made history as the first Vietnamese board game publisher to participate in the fair with their title, Zodiac Rush. Their debut received significant attention within Vietnam’s board game community and marked the beginning of a new chapter in bringing “Made in Vietnam” board games to the global stage..
Despite only two years of participation, EverJoy has showcased the strong potential of Vietnam’s creative industry. With well-developed concepts, high-quality visuals, and immersive gameplay, their booth drew thousands of visitors and made a lasting impression on international attendees.
Looking ahead, EverJoy has exciting plans for 2025, designated as a year of cultural celebration. The publisher aims to bring Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage to SPIEL Essen 2025 through creatively designed board games that reflect both traditional and modern aspects of Vietnamese life, offering a fresh, distinctive presence at the international fair.
Road to Essen – A Gateway for Young Vietnamese Game Designers
Another standout initiative by EverJoy is the “Road to Essen” competition, launched to discover and nurture Vietnam’s next generation of board game designers. The competition’s winner receives a fully sponsored trip to Germany to present their game at SPIEL Essen, providing not only a platform to showcase their talent but also a springboard into the global market, helping elevate the visibility of Vietnamese creativity on an international scale.
With continued dedication and innovation, EverJoy is laying the foundation for Vietnam’s long-term journey into the global board game industry. This progress is a promising sign not only for Vietnam’s creative sector but also for stronger cultural exchange between Vietnam and the world.
As the official representative of Spielwarenmesse and SPIEL Essen in Vietnam, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK Vietnam) is proud to support EverJoy’s participation in the upcoming October event, as well as the “Road to Essen” board game design competition.
Stay tuned for more details and visit [link] to learn how to enter the competition. We look forward to seeing your brilliant ideas come to life!
Photos: EverJoy
