Gamescom 2012: Progressive Video Game Conference

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 18:15

Written by Renzo Adler

In recent years, many people have been debating the validity of E3 as a gaming event, citing that it has become a bloated advertising space for self-congratulation and announcements that have already been leaked. But the fairly young (founded in 2009) Gamescom is an event that is still regarded as a true meeting of minds for the game developing world. Gamescom will be held August 15 – 19, 2012 at the Cologne Trade Fair (Messeplatz 1  50679 Cologne, Germany).

Unlike E3, Gamescom is open to the public and is not the sort of thing you’d see broadcast on Spike TV. Along with showcasing new games, Gamescom is also a forum of debate, a place of learning, an activity space and the forefront of gaming ingenuity.

The Gamescom Congress is a conference dedicated to socio-political presentations, workshops and discussions on games. It invites experts from politics, science, education, economy, media and the interested public to discuss the role and impact of games on society.

Gamescom also includes musical and performance acts and has it’s own mini music festival featuring bands:

• Kettcar
• THEES UHLMANN & Band
• Bosse
• DER KÖNIG TANZT
• Olli Schulz

And so that gamers can get some exercise too, Gamescom includes an outdoor activity area with a skate ramp, volleyball, rope climbing, motorbikes, and small sports tournaments. For those that are really particular about getting to conventions before everyone else, there is also a large camping area where visitors can book and rent tents for friends.

The Gamescom Campus is a special panel and presentation area where you can learn from experts about the history of gaming, jobs and careers, social studies and debate, as well as a special acse-mod competition.

With the internet these days, having an event as huge as E3 to show trailers is a bit much,  but Gamescom is the sort of event that is really…well… an EVENT. Gamescom is actually making an effort to bring people together and put more thought into the world of gaming, and not just money and ads.

To learn more, go to http://www.gamescom-cologne.com/

Gamescom
August 15 - 19, 2012

Cologne Trade Fair
Messeplatz 1
50679 Cologne
Germany

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