| Larissa Bilovits
|
14.10.2024
Around 85,000 gaming enthusiasts flocked to Vienna City Hall over the weekend to discover new games and technical innovations from over 130 exhibitors. They also enjoyed a cosplay parade and numerous e-sports competitions.
This year’s event attracted over 85,000 visitors Game City a new record. The country’s largest gaming event, organized by, took place for the 15th time WienXtra and the event agency Mice & Menthe Vienna City Hall, where a total of 130 exhibitors on 15,000 square meters waited for visitors from October 11th to 13th, as well as e-sports competitions and a cosplay parade.
This was there to discover
“Seeing so many happy faces and experiencing the fun of gaming was overwhelming,” said Tarek SharifManaging Director of Mice & Men. “We managed to bring 130 exhibitors to Game City, who presented an impressive variety of new games, hardware, eSports, educational offerings and much more. We are proud that our invitation from so was accepted by many and the Game City continues to grow.”
The electrical retailer was the main sponsor this year MediaMarktwho created a virtual world in a 135 square meter “gaming room” in the ballroom in which visitors could discover and test out new games, VR headsets, new consoles and racing game simulators. In addition to a MediaMarkt pop-up store, there was also a scooter course outdoors on Rathausplatz.
Game City also offered three days of gaming action and e-sports competitions, where fans could not only get to know professional gamers and prominent streamers, but also compete against them. Visitors were also able to visit the indie area of FM4 also test young projects from local game developers. The program was rounded off by the WienXtra Children’s zone on the first floor of the town hall, where young gamers aged four and over could playfully immerse themselves in the world of games and board games.
Cosplay-Parade
It was also colorful at the cosplay parade, which took place together with Vienna Comix was organized. Whether Super Mario, Zelda or Obelix – they all marched together through downtown Vienna on Saturday, from the Museum Quarter to the Ring to the town hall. Around 200 costumed participants celebrated their heroes from video games, comics and anime, and were honored by this year’s Game City mayor Vanesh (Vanessa Radosztics) listed.
“It’s impressive to see how Game City brings people together every year – from live streaming on Twitch, board games in the family and children’s zone to shared experiences on the stage in the Arkadenhof,” says the Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr impressed. “Of particular note are the three new health areas that focus on exercise, nutrition and mental well-being.” The aim is not to restrict young people, but rather to enable them to use video games responsibly, which is why advice on addiction prevention and health was also offered on site. “They learn for life through play, and we accompany them on this path,” says Wiederkehr.
WienXtra’s managing director also agrees with this Vucko Schüchner to: “The Game City is a place where we come together, exchange ideas, learn from each other and experience the joy of playing together. In a time when the focus is often on what divides us, it is even more important to create moments of connection . We attach great importance to promoting this joy of responsible gaming. The fact that the city of Vienna makes this unique event possible in the town hall – and with free admission – shows how special the Game City is.”
You can find impressions of Game City in our gallery.
