Board and Indie Games Take Center Stage as Shanghai Anime Month Kicks Off

The 21st China International Comics and Games Expo (CCG EXPO 2026) officially opened in Shanghai on Saturday, kicking off a three-day run at the Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing.

This year's expo, covering nearly 10,000 square meters, focuses on emerging growth sectors in the gaming market, particularly the board game and independent games. The specialized showcase has brought together 214 businesses, design studios, and individual indie designers, featuring a curated selection of more than 450 gaming titles.

Asmodee and YOKA, two major board game publishers, introduced new products at the exhibition. KayaK, YOKA's chief designer and developer of Legends of the Three Kingdoms, was among the attendees.

"Board games are essential for offline socializing due to their low entry barrier and high interactivity," said Shanghai Toonmax Expo Co deputy general manager Cao Jun.

He noted that the domestic tabletop industry is rapidly expanding from niche hobbyist circles into the mass consumer market.

French board game publisher Asmodee displayed Splendor and Toy Brawl, highlighting international participation. By Saturday 2pm, Asmodee's on-site sales exceeded 10,000 yuan, indicating high consumer demand.

Independent design teams attracted crowds with detailed 3D-printed castle and hero sculptures intended for tabletop gaming and enthusiast collections.

According to Zhou Chujie, the designer of the White Blood Forge, the trend is attributed to AI-powered workflows and the widespread use of 3D printing technologies.

The exhibition is part of Shanghai International Anime Month and runs until July 6.