Dream It: Vol. 2 brings together emerging Asean creators on an immersive exploration journey into Japan’s vibrant gaming culture
In collaboration with SEGA, Dream It: Vol. 2 brought together Dreamers from across Asean for an unforgettable journey through Tokyo, the global heart of gaming culture. From exploring the city’s hidden gems to experiencing the world’s biggest gaming showcase, Tokyo Game Show 2025, Dreamers discovered how the spirit of play can spark creativity and connections across borders.
The journey began with RedGames Jam, AirAsia’s annual 48-hour game jam that draws aspiring game developers from across Asean. Hosted in partnership with industry leaders including SEGA, MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation) and Asia Pacific University (APU), this year’s edition saw over 140 participants creating original mobile-friendly games within two days. Since its first edition in 2023, AirAsia and SEGA have been partnering together to build a shared commitment to support and showcase rising game talent in the region. This ongoing partnership has now extended to Dream It: Vol. 2.
The winners, Team Glep, took home the grand prize of an all-expenses-paid Dream It experience to Japan, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the heart of global gaming culture including exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Tokyo Game Show 2025, made possible through SEGA.
This is more than a trip. Dream It is an ongoing brand experience under The Colour of Connection (TCOC) campaign, created to bridge the gap between aspiring creators and industry leaders across Asean. As part of AirAsia’s broader brand journey, it is a platform that connects rising Asean talent with leading voices, collectives and brands through meaningful experiences. Built around the pillars of People, Places and Passion, each volume brings together creators and communities in a different Asean city, each time exploring a new passion point through co-creation, collaboration and shared discovery.
Following Dream It: Vol. 1 x Ta-ku, where we dived into the music culture in Manila, Dream It: Vol. 2 x SEGA ventured into the world of gaming, exploring how creativity, collaboration and community continue to shape culture across the region and beyond. Over five days in Tokyo, Dreamers experienced Japan’s gaming culture firsthand, gaining new perspectives through immersive experiences that connected People, Places and Passion:
People: The dreamers on the journey
Every Dream It experience begins with the people who make it possible, the Dreamers
The Dream It journey began in a bright hotel lobby in Tokyo, where laughter mixed with quiet anticipation as Dreamers from across Asean met for the first time. Among them was Team Glep, winners of RedGames Jam 2025, four rising talents whose shared passion for game creation earned them this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Leading the journey was Denise Teo, better known as @supercatkei, one of Southeast Asia’s leading streamers, content creators and community builders. As the host of Dream It journey, Denise helped Dreamers navigate the city through her signature warmth and wit, sharing reflections and drawing connections between people and ideas throughout the trip.
As conversations sparked and stories began to unfold, the Dreamers found common ground through curiosity and play. What started as introductions soon became an exchange of perspectives and laughter. For many, it was their first glimpse of how gaming lives and breathes beyond screens as a shared language that connects people across borders.
Places: Discovering Tokyo’s gaming culture
The Dream It journey brought Dreamers across Tokyo, discovering how play connects people everywhere
The Dream It journey unfolded across Tokyo, a city where gaming culture blends the past and the future. Inside its buzzing game centers and along streets alive with sound and motion, every stop revealed a new layer of Japan’s vibrant gaming scene. For the Dreamers, exploring Tokyo offered a firsthand look at how imagination and creativity intersect in spaces built for play — a culture that continues to inspire developers and players around the world.
The journey started in Akihabara, Tokyo’s iconic district, where gaming, collectables and pop culture collide. Here, Dreamers were introduced to Japan’s capsule toy phenomenon at Gachapon Kaikan. Every turn of the machine revealed a small surprise, capturing the same sense of curiosity and creativity that fuels game design. For the Dreamers, it was a playful reminder that inspiration often comes from the smallest details.
The next stop was Taito Station, one of Tokyo’s most recognizable game centers. Amidst the sounds of buttons, laughter and the hum of competition, Dreamers experienced how gaming continues to bring people together through shared moments and collective love for gaming.
A change of pace came at Kokyogaien National Garden (the outer garden of The Imperial Palace), where the greenery and calm offered a contrast to the city’s electric energy. Guided by Denise in a session made possible by AirAsia, Dreamers spent the morning sketching dreams and sharing reflections on the journey so far. It was here that inspiration found stillness, offering a space to pause, be present and connect beyond the screen. A reminder that creativity also grows through connection.
Passion: Connecting through play
AirAsia brings Dreamers closer to their dreams
At AirAsia, we’ve always believed in the Dare to Dream spirit. That belief is what inspired Dream It to curate meaningful experiences that connect people, places and passion across Asean through a shared journey.
With Dream It: Vol. 2 × SEGA, AirAsia opened doors to experiences rarely seen, uncovering creative spaces and communities that thrive on shared passion. From discovering hidden gems to meeting the people shaping the world of gaming, Dreamers gained firsthand insight into how passion can turn into opportunity — and how play continues to inspire new ways of thinking, creating and connecting.
Among these experiences was the Game Console Mod Workshop led by PLUS-Y team, a group of Tokyo-based makers dedicated to preserving Japan’s handheld console legacy. Guided by Emmi, Toshi and Shio Sensei, Dreamers rolled up their sleeves for a rare hands-on session to rebuild and customize one of gaming’s most iconic handheld consoles, learning its history, design and the deep sense of connection that continues to unite players, creators and communities through play.
The journey culminated at Tokyo Game Show 2025, one of the world’s most influential gaming expos. Here, Dreamers stepped onto the global stage alongside developers, creators and fans from around the world, witnessing firsthand how ideas become experiences that move millions. Through AirAsia’s partnership with SEGA, Dreamers gained exclusive access behind the scenes, including getting the chance to meet Takaya Segawa, Executive Vice President of SEGA Corporation and the creative minds behind SEGA’s brand new release, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. They also got the first look at the new game, which featured a special AirAsia machine decal designed within the game as part of the brand’s collaboration with SEGA. It was a rare glimpse into how passion and possibility come together on a world stage and how creativity continues to shape the future of play.
“At its core, Dream It brings AirAsia’s purpose to life, connecting People, Places and Passionacross Asean. Through experiences like this, we bridge culture leaders with rising Asean talent, creating meaningful exchanges that inspire the next generation of dreamers. It’s how we continue championing creativity, culture and innovation across the region,” said Lin Tze, Head of Brand of AirAsia Next, while reflecting on the experience.
Dream It continues to grow as one of AirAsia’s signature brand experiences, celebrating the creativity, culture and shared dreams that connect Asean. With each journey, the initiative shines a light on the region’s emerging voices, inspiring more people to explore, create and dare to dream beyond boundaries.
Stay tuned for the next Dream It initiative as the journey continues with Dream It:Vol. 3 and more. For more Dream It stories, follow our Instagram page at @airasia.
