The world of interactive entertainment will once again come to
Cologne from 17-21 August. Koelnmesse reports just before the start
of the third edition of gamescom: Once again, the trade show and
event highlight has increased its exhibitor numbers and
international flavour by a wide margin. In the coming week, more
than 550 exhibitors (2010: 505) from almost 40 countries (2010: 33)
will be presenting their new products and innovative developments
on Cologne's trade show grounds. The proportion of foreign
companies at gamescom is now 50 per cent (2010: 45%). Tim Endres,
gamescom project manager at Koelnmesse: "We are delighted with this
result above all for our visitors from Germany, Europe and the
world. Trade visitors and individuals are both benefiting from the
growth. In the business area, gamescom now offers even more
contacts and access to international markets and players, while in
the entertainment area, there is even more space for games and
premieres."
gamescom itself will be celebrating four of its own premiers
this year. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, as the official partner country, will be presenting the
2011 gamescom awards as part of the international opening, while
the official family day on Sunday and the gamescom campus will be
held during the trade show and event highlight for the first time.
The international gaming industry has announced its attendance at
gamescom earlier than ever before. With SEGA and Capcom, two key
players at once will be returning to the leading industry trade
show which will be writing headlines with new gaming highlights. On
more than 120,000 square metres, Cologne is about to transform
itself into a world of games, fun and entertainment. The exclusive
business area will be the meeting point of industry and trade once
again in halls 4 and 5, while the entertainment area (halls 6-9) is
moving for the time into part of hall 10 ("extra level").
Sunday is family day
In addition to the complete programme and the gaming offers
at gamescom, on Sunday families can take advantage of special
offers especially in hall 8. On the initiative of
ComputerSpielSchule Leipzig, for example, fathers and sons will be
able to explore the world of games together under trained guidance
in the gamescom campus or discover their creative potential in the
Casemodding Workshop. In the workshop, every team - e.g. father and
son - will have 20 minutes to modify a case component according to
a set slogan (a game title, genre or "gamescom" etc.) precisely as
they wish. In the "play2together" campaign, parents and children
can try out appealing, fun and family-friendly games and try to
gather points in a media quiz. Experienced media instructors will
be on hand with tips for using media in the family. Speakers corner
in hall 8, meanwhile, will feature talks on family topics. The
heavily discounted family ticket for a maximum of two
adults/guardians and up to 3 children aged 7-17 costs 20 euros.
