As someone who has attended Gamescom multiple times and witnessed its grandeur firsthand, I wholeheartedly endorse this event for anyone involved in the gaming industry or simply a passionate gamer. The opportunity to connect with companies from various regions, particularly South America, is an incredible chance to expand one’s horizons and foster growth.
Gamescom Opening Night Live is set to begin imminently, marking the start of a week filled with gaming updates, happenings, and more. As a brand, Gamescom consistently prioritizes its community. Since 2009, enthusiasts and creators from around the globe have been joining in on the Gamescom celebration without showing any signs of letting up. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Gamescom set a new attendance record, and it managed to carry on with digital and hybrid events during that period. The in-person event made a strong comeback, exceeding even its organizers’ expectations, and Gamescom 2024 has already surpassed previous records, with expectations of shattering more in the near future.
Prior to the upcoming event, Game Rant had an engaging conversation with Felix Falk, who is associated with Game (the proprietor and joint organizer of Gamescom). We delved into various aspects such as the background and milestone of the event, the expansion of the brand through Gamescom Asia and Gamescom LATAM, and his expectations for the exhibition, among other topics. For your convenience, this transcript has been streamlined and simplified.
The History and Legacy of Gamescom
Q: Could you introduce yourself and explain what you do for our audience please?
I am Felix Falk, serving as the managing director for Game – the German Games Industry Association, which boasts a membership of approximately 500 entities from across the gaming industry. We are not only the brand owners but also co-organizers of Gamescom, and our members encompass publishers, developers, eSports organizers, universities, and anyone else associated with games in Germany. So, this year’s Gamescom marks a milestone for us as we celebrate our 500 members!
Question: In what way does the fact that this year is the 15th edition of Gamescom signify for the event’s background and tradition?
B: The experience was fantastic. Over the years, Gamescom has experienced tremendous growth. Reflecting on its early days, we’ve already welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors. Since then, it has consistently thrived and evolved into a comprehensive festival encompassing various aspects of international game culture. We aimed to provide a platform for representation and fostered an environment where the entire spectrum of our cultural community could gather. It’s been inspiring to observe, and it has continued growing every year since its inception, without any signs of slowing down.
It’s truly fascinating to witness such extensive growth in events like Gamescom. Here, you can catch a glimpse of where culture is headed, where industries are moving, the trajectory of professionals within these sectors, and how various industry topics are transforming. Essentially, it provides a platform to observe all this dynamic evolution. Our goal is to create an appropriate setting that accurately represents all these aspects, and I believe we’ve managed to do so quite effectively. We look forward to continuing this journey and uncovering even more developments throughout the rest of this year.
A: In your opinion, how have you seen the nature and impact of Gamescom within the gaming industry evolve significantly over the past fifteen years?
It’s clear to me that the most significant shift over time is the hybrid nature of the experience. This transformation is evident in the industry as well. For instance, Gamescom fifteen years ago and for several years following, was primarily about face-to-face interactions and playable demos on location. In contrast to events like E3, we’ve always placed a premium on our community.
Initially, our approach was centered around the physical event, but due to recent changes, it has transitioned into a hybrid model. This shift has significantly increased our reach, although we hadn’t started this during the COVID-19 pandemic, it still provided a substantial boost. Despite not halting Gamescom during the pandemic, we opted to make it digital and subsequently more hybrid. The synergy between these two aspects is remarkable, allowing us to maintain a significant on-site presence. Cologne transforms during this festival, with the entire town buzzing with energy. If you include all visitors to Gamescom in Cologne, we exceed half a million. However, we’ve reached a point where we can’t accommodate even more people due to concerns about overcrowding. We want everyone to have a pleasant experience, so there’s a cap on attendance. Over the years, we’ve adjusted these limits, but after peaking at 370,000 in 2019, we decided to reduce numbers for a better experience. Since then, Gamescom has evolved into a true hybrid and global event due to growing digital participation.
As a gamer, I believe that recent update has significantly upped the ante. It’s not just about Gamescom becoming the largest in-person event anymore; it’s transformed into a grand celebration for gaming enthusiasts worldwide! Now, regardless of your location, you can participate by catching Gamescom Opening Night Live, exploring games on-site, engaging with Gamescom Studio, checking out Gamescom Epix, joining Gamescom Biz, and even scheduling appointments when off-site. Truly, these changes have expanded its horizons!
A: Given what I’ve seen from previous Gamescom events, what is your take on how it’s unfolding this year?
B: It’s incredible to anticipate breaking some new records this year! We’ve already surpassed a previous record: we’ll have over 1400 exhibitors, which is a significant increase from last year. The speed at which Gamescom returned has been surprising; even before the pandemic, we were exceeding many Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from 2019, our record-breaking year. This year, we’ve seen even more records being set. One figure that particularly excites me is the number of country pavilions. Mostly found in the business area, an increasing number of countries are now showcasing booths in the indie sector as well.
In contrast to last year, this year we’ve expanded our international presence at Gamescom, featuring 48 pavilions from 37 different countries. This growth in participation not only enriches the event but offers a more diverse platform for game developers worldwide. For instance, newcomers from Indonesia, Brazil, and other nations now have an opportunity to exhibit their games at Gamescom, something that might not have been possible without these country pavilions. This is indeed a positive development.
Extending the Gamescom Brand
A: During my visit to Gamescom in Latin America, many people I interacted with commended the organization for its efforts in two key areas. One of them was sustainability, which was first emphasized through the Gamescom Goes Green initiative in 2022. I was intrigued to know how this initiative is being implemented this year. So, how has it evolved this time around?
In our sector, issues such as diversity, sustainability, and inclusivity hold significant value for us and our associates. Consequently, we strive to lead the way in these domains through our events and brand. Our journey began with the Gamescom Forest in 2020, which evolved into a comprehensive idea rather than just planting trees. This concept is designed to embrace everyone, encompassing more than mere integration; it has three main pillars that support it.
Initially, all actions taken by us, alongside our partner Koelnmesse, are carbon-neutral. Our carbon impact is balanced through reduction, prevention, or offsetting, and we continue to improve each year. Two years ago, we began providing green energy for the entire event. This year, for instance, we’ll be introducing “Cradle to Cradle” certified carpets that are eco-friendly, recyclable, and designed for a circular economy for the first time. These carpets will be used in Gamescom-owned areas as well as suggested to exhibitors. Additionally, we encourage community involvement by allowing them to donate and establish the Gamescom Forest together. Lastly, we invite exhibitors to join this initiative and take responsibility for their respective areas. Our aim is to foster an approach where everyone shares accountability in our various sectors.
As a seasoned event organizer with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that we don’t call it Green Gamescom for nothing. It’s not just a label; it’s a continuous process. Each year, we strive to add more sustainable practices and evaluate our progress. We conduct an event footprint analysis to scrutinize every aspect of the event and aim for improvement in the next year. I am incredibly proud of this commitment to sustainability, and I believe that this approach can be applied to other areas as well. This is more than just a tagline; it’s a testament to our dedication to making a positive impact on the environment.
As someone who has attended numerous conventions and events in the past, I can attest to the importance of accessibility for all attendees, especially those with disabilities. This year, I am proud to be a part of the Gamescom committee, where we’ve made a concerted effort to ensure that our event is more inclusive than ever before. We understand that in the past, not all exhibitors have been wheelchair-accessible, which has made it difficult for people with mobility issues to fully enjoy and participate in the Gamescom experience.
Has the growth of the Gamescom brand over the last few years, with the launch of Gamescom Asia in 2021 and the announcement of Gamescom LATAM in 2023, affected the Gamescom event held in Germany?
B: Over the past 15 years, Gamescom has grown into a globally recognized brand. There has been an increase in attendees, as well as awareness of Gamescom in various countries. The international reputation of Gamescom is significant, leading us to initiate Gamescom Asia in Singapore initially. This year, we also introduced Gamescom LATAM due to industry and community demand from these regions and the ability to find suitable partners to uphold the promise of Gamescom. We didn’t just want to launch something without a plan; we need to assess how it performs eventually.
1. Among the most significant insights gleaned at Gamescom LATAM in São Paulo were that it marked a substantial improvement over last year’s BIG Festival and bore a resemblance to the original Gamescom. This represents two major advancements – a smaller, more manageable version of Gamescom, yet still carrying the same essence. It appears as though this is a promising start. We eagerly anticipate observing the event’s impact, not only for our brand but also for the collaborative efforts we put forth in brainstorming and execution. For instance, this year saw substantial attendance from Asian and LATAM delegations. For LATAM specifically, these interactions have bolstered political partnerships, contributing positively to São Paulo and Brazil’s game industry. Furthermore, they aim to absorb knowledge from the European games industry. The exchange between the regions seems beneficial across multiple sectors. Ultimately, our objective transcends hosting a successful event; instead, we must ask ourselves, “Why should this event exist?”
For us as an association, the answer is always in favor of the industry, so we want to help companies get better access to the South American market. We want to help developers find publishers in other areas of the globe and so on. It’s great to see that this many companies involved, not only for our members, but also members of the Brazil and LATAM associations. They think this is really helpful for them, and that’s the main focus. We love to build something, build that stage where those companies can connect with their communities in the best possible way.
Expectations for Gamescom
Q: Do you have any advice for anyone coming for the first time?
A: You can either choose to wing it and accept being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of events at this place, thinking you’ll need six days instead of two next time to see even more, or my suggestion is to meticulously plan ahead to make the most of your experience as there’s so much going on. Even our team has had evaluations after events like Gamescom where we spend hours discussing and analyzing everything. Often, someone would mention they heard about something in hall eight that was amazing but didn’t see it, or others forget about it altogether, leaving us to search for information about it.
Man, this game is massive! As I mentioned earlier, it’s a full 360-degree experience that keeps you engaged for days on end. You could easily spend three whole days exploring every nook and cranny, and there’d still be more to discover. That’s the beauty of it, so my advice is either do some thorough planning or just dive in and let the adventure unfold. Either way, it’s going to be an unforgettable ride!
A: In summary, it’s crucial to set expectations when we talk about an occasion such as Gamescom Opening Night Live and this year’s event. So, what might a typical gamer anticipate when they approach these events?
As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I’m confidently looking forward to the thrilling spectacle that is Gamescom Opening Night Live this year. The event space has been expanded to accommodate twice as many attendees, promising an electrifying vibe in an expansive venue. Furthermore, word on the street is that the content is shaping up nicely, thanks to a heads-up from Geoff.
As a long-time gaming enthusiast, I can confidently say that this event isn’t just another one-time digital show for me; it’s the opening act to a whole week of gaming goodness. Whether I’m physically present in Cologne or joining remotely through platforms like Gamescom Studio, Gamescom Awesome Indies, and numerous others, this event promises an unparalleled experience that transcends geographical boundaries. Over the years, I’ve found these events to be a treasure trove of new game releases, industry insights, and opportunities to connect with fellow gamers from around the world. This year’s event is no exception, as it offers an exceptional opportunity to immerse myself in the ever-evolving world of video games.
I believe this year will turn out well, so I shared my optimism with some colleagues. I see Gamescom as a promising indicator for better days ahead in our industry because we’re presenting games that will help revitalize us and guide us out of the challenging phase we’ve been in. It seems like a solid beginning to a more favorable future period.
[END]
Gamescom Opening Night Live takes place on August 20 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET.
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2024-08-19 16:26