Gaming
Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan Returns Celebrating MENA’s Rising Influence in the Global Games Industry
The gaming industry’s most anticipated international conference, Pocket Gamer Connects, is triumphantly returning to Jordan this November, further solidifying the Middle East’s growing influence and presence in the global games industry. With its location near the stunning Dead Sea, the event promises two days of knowledge-sharing, networking, and innovation against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders.
Pocket Gamer Connect Jordan is set to take place on November 4th to 5th at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre by Hilton, not far from Amman, Jordan, with PGC Jordan expecting 1,000 delegates from around the world. This gathering of gaming professionals will feature 80 + top industry experts who will share their insights and case studies on the latest innovations in the games industry.
In addition to the main conference, Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan offers a wide array of fringe events, including the Very Big Indie Pitch, Investor Connector, and Publisher SpeedMatch, all designed to create valuable connections within the games community. The MeetToMatch meeting platform will also be in place this year, enabling attendees to schedule meetings, connect with existing contacts, and forge new business relationships.
This year’s event offers attendees the opportunity to explore Petra and Wadi Rum on ‘workcation’ trips, providing a glimpse into the ancient wonders and natural beauty of the Middle East. Nestled near the Dead Sea, the event’s location allows for a perfect blend of business and leisure, with the chance to unwind at the hotel spa and soak in the unparalleled beauty of the surroundings, with an optional day trip available for selected guests in the days afterwards.
Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan 2023 takes place against the backdrop of a larger gaming and esports week unfolding across Jordan. While you’re in the country for the b2b conference at the Dead Sea, why not plan to travel to Um Qais or Aqaba, too, for more games industry activity in sites of historical interest?
The MENA gaming market is poised for substantial expansion, with Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan serving as a pivotal platform to showcase its potential global influence. Projections suggest that by 2025, the MENA games market will surpass $7.2 billion in value, supported by a player base exceeding 377 million, solidifying its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
This growth is primarily driven by mobile platforms, responsible for over 65% of revenue, and is further fueled by the expected 565 million smartphone users by 2025. Attracting substantial investments, notably the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s $38 billion commitment, the gaming industry in the region is not only an economic force but also a catalyst for societal transformation, with its influence extending into education, healthcare, and marketing through gamification.
Dave Bradley, COO of Steel Media, said, “We are delighted to be back in the Middle East for Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan this year. We love to support the games industry in the region – while this is our third full PG Connects conference, Pocket Gamer has been to Jordan many times over the years to participate in local summits. It’s always inspiring to see what the next generation of young developers will bring to the world of games. Fueled by its rapid expansion, an enthusiastic and engaged player base, and substantial investments, the whole region is not just set to leave a mark but to emerge as a prominent force in shaping the future of the global games industry.”
A ticket to Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan grants you entry to the main conference, fringe events where eligible, and the eventful Global Connects Party, along with perks like complimentary refreshments and personal profiles on the MeetToMatch meeting system for limitless networking opportunities. Beyond the business aspects, the Middle East invites you to explore its rich cultural heritage, visit historical gems such as Petra, savour diverse cuisines, and engage in recreational activities, making it an appealing destination for both work and leisure.
Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan is not just an event; it’s a gateway to the future of the extraordinary games industry in the Middle East and an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most remarkable ancient and historical locations.
Baltics
The best European gamers will meet in Vilnius: global tournaments and the latest technology presentations
As Lithuania increasingly finds itself in the spotlight of the global gaming community, country’s gamers can once again rejoice at significant news. Lithuania will host “Trackmania World Tour” stage. With this news, it is planned that 24th to 26th of May, in Vilnius the “Baltics Gaming Expo” will bring together the best gamers from across Europe and the world.
International tournaments and showcase battles
“We love to play, and we’re really good at it at the highest level. This is the second year that the “Baltics Gaming Expo” will gather video game enthusiasts and professionals from all around Europe. If last year, 29,000 participants and visitors came to participate or watch tournaments, explore the latest technologies, and try out newly released games, this year, we expect even bigger growth. After all, we have some special news – the “Trackmania” game tournament at the event is included in the global rankings. In other words, all the best players are coming to Vilnius”, says Šarūnas Tamulis, one of the organizers of the “Baltics Gaming Expo”.
Players from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, and other countries will participate in the global ranking tournament. Among the participants will be representatives from Lithuania.
The largest gaming and technology event in the Baltic States will also feature “Counter Strike”, “Valorant”, “Rocket League”, “League of Legends”, and other international tournaments.
“There will also be special showcase battles. The best players and streamers in the country will meet on the main stage and compete playing “Counter Strike” and “Valorant”, the organizer says.
From famous streamers’ to retro games
In the gaming community, it’s popular to watch other players remotely broadcast their matches via social networks (game-streaming). Streamers are like opinion leaders, whose popularity and influence grow every day.
“To the delight of our community, the very popular streamer AnnieFuchsia will also attend the event. She has gathered half a million followers on her Twitch channel alone. For those interested, we will create an opportunity to participate in a discussion with the gamer, get answers to significant questions, or even get a photo together”, says Š. Tamulis.
Attendees of the event will also be able to enjoy a space dedicated to exceptional retro games. It will feature dozens of classic arcade games from the 80s and 90s.
“The technology giant “Samsung”, has prepared special activations for the visitors. At the largest “Galaxy AI” stand, you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the latest artificial intelligence news and try them out on smart devices. There will also be a special “Brawlstars” tournament at the stand, where well-known content creators and enthusiasts of this game from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will meet. The winner will receive the latest “Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra” phone”, the organizer presents.
A weekend for popular culture
The “Baltic Gaming Expo” will take place during “Comic Con Baltics 2024 powered by Samsung,” the largest popular culture event in the Baltic States. From May 24th to 26th, “LITEXPO” will turn into a universe of popular culture.
Fans will have the chance to meet stars from iconic Hollywood projects. Among them are actors from the “Harry Potter” films Natalia Tena and Devon Murray, “Marvel” film actor Sean Gunn, “Highlander” actor Adrian Paul, actress Natasha Halevi, internet comic stars Rob DenBleyker of “Cyanide&Happiness,” “Natural Habitat Shorts,” “Nobody Sausage,” and Nathan W. Pyle, creator of “Strange Planet” comics.
The event will also feature the largest cosplay competition in the Baltic States, premieres of the latest films, presentations, and discussions, an interactive family space, the “Artists’ Alley,” which annually unites around a hundred popular culture artists, a space for vendors offering many curiosities, impressive decorations from the most famous films and series worldwide, and many other attractions.
The post The best European gamers will meet in Vilnius: global tournaments and the latest technology presentations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gaming
NVIDIA and GIGABYTE bring NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack across 20 gaming cafes, rewarding INR 2,00,000 through esports tournament
NVIDIA, the world leader in accelerated computing, has tied up with GIGABYTE, a global leader in computer hardware, to bring the NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack. The esports tournament took place across 20 gaming cafes in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Shillong, and Bangalore, with teams registering to compete in Counter-Strike 2 for a share of the INR 2,00,000 prize pool.
Commenting on the successful association and the completion of the NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack, Sunil Grewal, Director, GIGABYTE India, said, “We are thrilled to wrap up the first-ever NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack, bringing Counter-Strike 2 esports action to cafes in every nook and corner of the country. As leaders in the manufacturing of graphic cards loved by gamers worldwide, we are glad to have organized a grassroots-level esports tournament bringing together esports enthusiasts in an epic showdown, enabling us to connect directly with the Indian PC gaming community.”
The NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack esports tournament, in collaboration with GIGABYTE, highlighted the importance of top-tier hardware like the GIGABYTE GEFORCE RTX 4070 SUPER GAMING OC 12GB GDDR6 in competitive gaming. With advanced features such as ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics, this GPU ensures smooth performance and low-latency responsiveness crucial for esports titles like Counter-Strike 2. Its robust cooling system and overclocking capabilities maintain peak performance during intense gaming sessions, empowering players to excel. By integrating cutting-edge hardware, GIGABYTE enhances the esports experience, fostering competitiveness and immersion in the digital arena.
The NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack 2024 was a resounding success, with more than 70 teams registering to compete in the open-for-all tournament.
These 70 teams competed in their local cafes, where the best 32 advanced to the National Playoffs. The NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack 2024 National Playoffs happened every Saturday and Sunday, across April 2024, where the 32 teams locked horns in intense Counter-Strike 2 esports action for the lion’s share of the INR 2,00,000 prize pool.
Ultimately, Mumbai’s Global Gaming Cafe dominated Bangalore’s Colosseum Cafe 3-0 in a one-sided grand final to be crowned the champions. The team will walk away with INR 1,00,000 of the total prize pool.
● Global Gaming Cafe (Mumbai): INR 1,00,000
● Colosseum Cafe (Bangalore): INR, 60,000
● Immortal Cafe (Delhi): INR 40,000
The post NVIDIA and GIGABYTE bring NVIDIA Reflex iCafe Attack across 20 gaming cafes, rewarding INR 2,00,000 through esports tournament appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Flexion, the games marketing company, has partnered with Jam City, a leading mobile entertainment company behind some of the world’s highest-grossing and most enduring mobile games, to bring a selection of the publisher’s best-in-class games to the Alternative App Stores: Amazon Appstore, Huawei App Gallery, Aptoide, ONE store, Samsung Galaxy Store, DT Hub and Xiaomi GetApps.
“We are always looking for new opportunities to build our network of global players, and Flexion is a proven partner that will help introduce our award-winning titles to new audiences in the alternative stores,” Curtis Barnes, Senior Director of Publishing Operations for Jam City, said.
“We’re all about helping developers like Jam City reach the full potential of their games. We’re delighted they have chosen us to add revenue and audiences for their games on the alternative app stores,” Jens Lauritzson, CEO of Flexion, said.
The post Flexion Enters into Partnership with Jam City appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News2 weeks agoThe Importance of Data Quality Review Checks in the Gaming Industry
-
Asia2 weeks agoOnlyplay Enters into Strategic Partnership with Ritchie Rabbit
-
eSports4 weeks agoeSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore
-
Compliance Updates4 weeks agoRomania Bans Gambling Venues in Small Towns and Villages
-
EurAsia4 weeks agoThe “Power Has No Gender” awards ceremony held by TotoGaming has reached a new level
-
Press Releases4 weeks agoOpenBet Powers Record-Breaking 100,000+ Peak Bets per Minute at Grand National 2024
-
Central Europe4 weeks agoNolimit City Announces Partnership with win2day
-
Balkans3 weeks agoWazdan marks Croatian market entry with PSK partnership