6 tips for the Zurich Game Show
The Zurich Game Show is taking place for the very first time this weekend. Although it can't quite match the spectacle of Fantasy Basel, it's definitely worth a visit for gamers.
Gamers will be offered a lot in four halls at the exhibition centre in Zurich Oerlikon. Video game culture will be celebrated there from Friday to Sunday. The Zurich Game Show is taking place for the first time this year. However, the organisers are repeat offenders; we already have Fantasy Basel to thank them for. Now Zurich will also be dedicated to games every year. The Ludicious and Gamezfestival events already take place in the city on the Limmat, but not to the same extent as the Zurich Game Show.
There's a lot on offer for visitors: you can game until your fingers fall off at numerous stands. There are numerous e-sports tournaments, various VR areas, board games, merchandise, cosplay and all kinds of opportunities to socialise with the growing Swiss gaming scene. The four halls still have some empty space, but at least you have enough room to stroll around. And the Zurich Game Show is only just beginning.
And there are already some exciting things to discover. Here are my six trade fair tips that you shouldn't miss.
Full broadside "Battlefield 1"
Stand 412: Joule Performance also build really classy gamer PCs for digitec. At the Zurich Game Show, they provided a special treat for gamers in addition to their water-cooled monster boxes. The setup looks like a giant pair of VR goggles that you can put on at the touch of a button. Then you can give yourself the full blast of "Battlefield 1".
Try local food
Stand 520/521: The SGDA and SAE stands are not quite as pompous, but no less exciting. There you can not only play numerous Swiss games, but also chat to the developers. With "Far", "Niche" and "Retimed", there are some treasures on site that deserve your attention.
A full blast of virtual reality
Stand 504-506: VR is omnipresent at the Zurich Game Show. Numerous manufacturers are on site with their products and let you try out their gadgets and games. You can shoot at targets with a glove that captures your finger movements, try your hand at being an artist or move freely in VR with a portable PC on your back in the VR Centre.
Try out the Xbox One X and "Assassin's Creed Origins"
State 409: Microsoft's console upgrade will be released in November. If the wait is too long for you, then visit the joint stand of Ubisoft, Samsung, WoG and Xbox. Not only can you try out the new console there, but you can also play "Assassin's Creed Origins" right away.
Bonus: "Age of Empires"
If you're not into Assassin's Creed, walk around the stand and marvel at Samsung's monster 49-inch monitor. We already had it on display in our shop. Unfortunately, it wasn't running the improved version of "Age of Empires". I'm telling you, you have to see it. A game that old on the full width of the monitor just looks marvellously wacky.
Let the racer out
Stand 621: If you fancy a bit of exercise after all that gaming, but not too much, then the e-xperience stand is just the thing for you. There you can zoom around on a fleet of different electric scooters. Depending on how you drive, it's the modern equivalent of the Putschibahn at the Chilbi.
Game on 100 PCs
Stand 602/603: As previously announced, digitec will also be at the Zurich Game Show. Together with our partner Mifcom, we have set up 100 gamer PCs on which you can log in with your private account. You can choose from games such as "Overwatch", "League of Legends", "Rocket League" and many more. And if you ask nicely, as I did, they will also install "PlayerUnknowns' Battlegrounds" for you, which I of course had to try out immediately. At least it was enough for one kill before someone shot me in the back. You can then buy the PCs refurbished from us at a significantly reduced price.
You can find even more digitec PCs on the e-sports stage. There are 13 digitec Zero-Cool ROGs in use. And there are 12 digitec X series PCs at Samsung. As you can see, we have our fingers in every pie. :)
If you were also at the trade fair, how was your visit? Was it worthwhile? What was your highlight? Let us know in the comments.
Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.