PlayX4 2026, the premier gaming show in the Seoul metropolitan area for the first half of the year, has kicked off once again.

Held at KINTEX in Ilsan, this year's PlayX4 runs for four days, from May 21 to 24, showcasing a wide array of titles.

Visitors can explore everything from the arcade games that define the event, to the significantly expanded board game section, a surprisingly large number of indie game booths, and exhibits from major game publishers.

As someone who covers PlayX4 every year, I can clearly spot the subtle changes. The most notable aspect this year is the well-balanced presence of both major and indie booths, particularly regarding demo availability.

This year's PlayX4 features a surprisingly diverse range of demo zones. You can find them at major booths like Bandai Namco Entertainment Korea, DAEWON MEDIA, Dungeon & Fighter, Gravity, and Cygames, all of which are visible right upon entering. The various indie game booths were also well-equipped with multiple demo stations.

Thursday, the opening day, saw a high turnout of students, yet the event felt much more comfortable to navigate compared to the weekend. With so many demos available, crowds were well-distributed across major booths, indie sections, and console experience zones, allowing everyone to try out a variety of games.

Another change is the growth of the indie section. PlayX4 clearly places a high priority on indie games. This year, once you pass the eye-catching major booths at the entrance, you are greeted by an indie arcade of massive proportions.

Each booth, unified in design, is packed with indie games, including student projects and international titles organized by theme. There are so many indie booths that if you don't check the floor plan in advance, it takes quite a while to find the specific game you're looking for.

The layout of the venue is also quite well-planned. By placing stages at both far ends—the most remote corners—and food trucks along the innermost wall, the indie arcade is naturally positioned in the center. This ensures that as you walk through the venue, you naturally pass through the indie section and get a chance to see the games.

The arcade booths, which attract the largest crowds, are located along the wall next to the entrance, so even with long lines, they don't obstruct the main flow of traffic. While the major booths are busy, their location near the entrance prevents the area from feeling congested. Furthermore, the wide spacing between booths ensures that visitors can move around comfortably.

Some might miss the presence of massive, blockbuster-style booths at PlayX4. However, perhaps this current sense of lightness and diversity has become the defining characteristic of the event.

From the orchestral performance at the Dungeon & Fighter booth, to the diverse genres and platforms showcased by BANDAI NAMCO and DAEWON MEDIA, the board game zone that guides you through every step of play, the arcade zone that draws enthusiasts every year, and the indie zone so packed with content that just walking through it feels rewarding—this diversity, which cannot be defined by a single label, is the most certain hallmark of PlayX4.