Berlin welcomes a new gaming festival, marking a resurgence of gaming festivities on both professional and public fronts. In contrast to the more business-oriented Quo Vadis conferences in the Millennium decade and the public celebration-oriented Games Week pre-pandemic, Games Ground Berlin now combines both aspects. Two business days of meeting activities preceded two weekend days of public access to the fairground.
The event offers a packed program, including lectures, panels, retro installations, and a main exposition hall featuring numerous demo showcases. The primary focus lies in facilitating hiring activities, with a strong emphasis on matchmaking. Private meetings with presenters can be booked in extended meeting areas, while the lecture program and expo showcases serve for public profiling of respective companies, attracting the interest of prospective jobseekers for follow-up workshop sessions and on-site one-on-ones.
Both local and international companies share insights into their production workflows and post-mortem experiences in lectures. Panels provide overviews of entire segments of the game industry. All these activities are streamlined in a mobile app, leading participants to appropriate matches in the meeting areas. The show floor features local indie productions and demo promotions for upcoming blockbusters, with a retro area inviting attendees for more relaxed conversations or nostalgic experiences.
Immersive media commands about half of the show floor, signifying a robust presence of XR productions. VR games and panoramic film experiences, largely catering to beginners, share the space with more challenging arcade installations pointing to esports and local-based entertainment facilities. VR facilitates easy access to immersion, offering casual gaming, edutainment, and meditative experiences. Competition-oriented installations primarily utilize MR devices to integrate real surroundings into gameplay.
In essence, Berlin Games Ground offers something for everyone: an excellent overview of gaming activities in the region and international markets, an introduction to the gaming industry, personal meeting opportunities, job offers, new games, immersive experiences, and, above all, a lot of fun. In conclusion, the festival provides a diverse array of experiences, ensuring that participants leave with lasting memories of the vibrant and dynamic world of gaming.
