'Heroes in New Dimensions' is the theme of gamescom 2016

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gamescom is entering a whole new dimension this year. So it's only suiting that the world's largest computer and video game event is taking place under the theme 'Heroes in New Dimensions'. This slogan was announced by Koelnmesse, the organiser of gamescom, and the show's sponsor, the BIU - the German Games Industry Association - at a press conference in Berlin. This year's gamescom partner country is Turkey. The theme 'Heroes in New Dimensions' summarises the current trends in the computer and video games industry - such as virtual reality, e-sports and 'the player as the designer' - and highlights the development of gamescom as a digital entertainment trade fair.

'gamescom has grown from a video game trade show to a 360-degree event that showcases the future of digital entertainment and the digitisation of our society. It also highlights current industry trends: with the advent of virtual reality a games technology is being brought onto the market that will permanently change the entire entertainment industry, e-sports is on the verge of becoming the sport of the 21st century and gamers themselves are increasingly playing a key role in games, ' says Dr Maximilian Schenk, Managing Director of the BIU. 'Moreover, we have found a very interesting partner this year in the Turkish Game Developers Association, TOGED. Games are rapidly moving towards becoming an everyday medium in Turkey, and are especially popular with large parts of the young population.'

Trend: virtual reality
One of the major trends this year is virtual reality. Invented by the games industry and having made great progress, this technology is currently being adapted by the entire entertainment and technology industry. In the past year, one of the most acclaimed new releases were 3D glasses, which enable players to get in directly on the action. This year, the first virtual reality goggles for consumers were released, and more models such as the PlayStation VR will enter the market in 2016. At gamescom, many of the new virtual reality games can be tried for the first time by the players themselves. Virtual reality games allow for a fantastic, unprecedented experience. The player is part of the game and the story. But virtual reality goggles not only allow for a wholly new gaming experience; they are also creating new possibilities in other entertainment industries, such as films or live events like concerts and Football matches. No other entertainment industry has made use of the possibilities of this new technology like the games industry. gamescom 2016 thus also offers a glimpse into the future of other digital media.

Trend: e-sports
E-sports are on their way to becoming the sport of the 21st century and are awaking incredible enthusiasm among players and fans. Big tournaments like 'The Grand Finals' of World of Tanks, 'ESL One' or 'The International' fill stadiums and are followed by millions of viewers via streaming around the world. E-sports have now outperformed many traditional sport disciplines in terms of total viewership. In many countries, e-sports athletes and clans are already heroes among the young, digital-savvy generation. And e-sports are paving many new paths, which also serve as a model for conventional sport disciplines. Leagues and tournaments are international in scope; that applies to the teams and commentators as well as to the spectators. The games can be followed from anywhere in the world, at any time and on almost all internetenabled devices. The interactivity in e-sports streaming is also ahead of other sports; the live commentary function is a central part of all major platforms where e-sports matches are shown.

Trend: the player as the designer
No other medium makes users such an elementary part of the medium itself as computer and video games. Whether it's financing via crowdfunding, beta-testing to optimise the gaming experience or the consistent implementation of player feedback, no other medium involves its users as deeply in its development processes. And no other medium focuses more on the users; e-sports athletes and Let's Players have been able to increase their number of viewers tremendously in recent years and have become celebrities of the digital generation. Players also develop their favourite games further. Some of the most successful e-sports games, such as Counter-Strike and DotA, emerged this way. The social media stage, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure and YouTube, e-sports competitions and the gamescom cosplay village demonstrate the special role of players for their medium at gamescom as well.

About gamescom 2016
gamescom opens for all interested trade visitors on 17 August and for the general public on 18 August. In 2015, 806 companies from 45 countries presented their latest products. A total of 345,000 visitors from 96 countries used gamescom last year as an entertainment and business platform. This makes gamescom the largest global computer and video games event as well as Europe's largest business platform for the games industry. With the business area, the entertainment area, GDC Europe, the gamescom congress and the gamescom city festival, gamescom offers tailored platforms for all audiences.

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