Last year's single major show, Games Convention Asia (GCA), will be joined this year by two new ones: Singapore Press Holdings' (SPH's) Licence To Play, and The Games Xpo (TGX) 09, by a local conference organiser.

Together, the three shows are expected to draw in over 350,000 consumers and trade visitors.

They were planned before the recession hit full force.

Ms Elaine Chia, marketing head of SPH Events, Roadshows and Exhibitions (SPHere) said 'the current market is tough' but there is still 'enough support for the show to continue'.

SPHere has already filled 50per cent of its 3,800sqm floor space with anchor exhibitors like home-grown electronics superstore Audio House and Asiasoft, publisher of the hit online multiplayer game Maple Story, she added.

Similarly, GCA expects the reception to be good, said Mr Joerg Zeissig, managing director of LMI Asia, the organiser of the predominantly trade show.

It grew from 70,000 visitors during its inaugural year in 2007 to 90,000 last year. He expects 120,000 trade and consumer visitors this year.

Read the full report in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.