GAMESCOM PREVIEW And it’s Gamescom next
The world’s attention may be focused on Los Angeles this week, but there’s another massive games trade show right around the corner. James Batchelor rounds up the essential information for those heading to Cologne this August
WHO’S GOING?
HOW DO I BOOK TICKETS? WHEN AND WHERE IS IT?
Gamescom 2011 will run from Wednesday, August 17th to Sunday, August 21st. The first day is only open to trade visitors and the media, with the show opened to the public from Thursday, August 18th. It will once again be held at the Koelnmesse international trade fair and exhibition center in Cologne. The exhibitors and their booths will be found in both the entertainment area (Halls 6 to 10), and the business area (Halls 4 and 5). The business area will not be open on the Saturday or Sunday. There will also be several themed sections. The Online games area, for example, will be in Hall 9, while the new Gamescom Campus will be in Hall 8. Throughout the week, additional events will be held around Cologne, including the Gamescom Festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday.
www.mcvuk.com
Tickets will be available on arrival at Gamescom, and advanced tickets are already on sale online at
www.gamescom-
cologne.com.
These can be printed off at home, with the printout granting visitors direct access to the show – so there’s no need to queue.
The printouts will also allow attendees to use all local public transport systems free of charge. Trade visitor ticket prices start at €25.50 and advanced tickets are only available until Tuesday, August 16th.
HOW DO I GET THERE AND WHERE WILL I STAY?
As well as making your own arrangements to get to Cologne, travel can be booked through Gamescom’s website. For those planning to travel by air, Germanwings is offering return flights to several European cities for as little as €30. Meanwhile, Lufthansa is offering discounts on both domestic and international flights.
Alternatively, prices for trains to Cologne start at €70.
Accommodation can also be booked through the website. There are more than 75 partner hotels working with the organisers at Koelnmesse, with prices starting at €90 for a double room. A space in the Gamescom Camp costs from €29.50 per night.
The website also allows attendees to book bundles that include travel, accommodation and car rental.
So far, key players that have signed up to exhibit include: AK Tronic, Alternate, ASUS, Avanquest, Bethesda, Bigben Interactive, Capcom, CD Projekt, City Interactive, Cooler Master, Deep Silver/Koch Media, dtp entertainment, Electronic Arts, Flashpoint, Frogster, Gala Networks, Hama, Just A Game, Konami, Mad Catz, McAfee, Microsoft, Namco Bandai, NCsoft, Nexon, Nintendo, Paradox Interactive, Paysafecard, Razer, Red 5 Studios, Riot Games, Rock Hippo Productions, Rondomedia, Sega, Sony Computer Entertainment, Steel Series, Symantec, Take-Two, THQ, Travian Games, Trion Worlds, Ubisoft, Valve, Vidis,
Wargaming.net, Warner Bros., Xaitment, Xtend Global Media
The full list of exhibitors will be released after Gamescom’s press conference on
Thursday, June 16th.
International pavillions: France (incl. Ubifrance), Iran, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan
The UK has been named as the official partner country for Gamescom 2011.
June 3rd 2011 45
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