PLAYCON returns bigger and better

Malta can welcome back PLAYCON, which is taking place from Thursday November 30 to Sunday December 3 at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta' Qali.

Spanning an impressive 7,000 square meters of interactive and educational space, PLAYCON will serve as a showcase for the best that Malta has to offer in these dynamic sectors. Recognised as one of the fastest-growing economic fields globally, the video game, game development and esports industries present an array of opportunities and careers within the digital economy, making PLAYCON an invaluable experience for students eager to explore these pathways.

Approximately 50 local and international companies contributing to video game development in Malta will exhibit their work, further positioning the island as an attractive destination for foreign investment in the digital sector. Esteemed industry leaders such as Ubisoft, Keywords Studios, Exient and ESL will headline this year's edition of PLAYCON, underscoring their status as premier video game development companies and participants in international esports competitions.

Plenty of activities such as video gaming will be made available to enjoy

Attendees will have the unique chance to engage with and play games developed by these companies, as well as participate in various competitions held throughout the event. The Games Dev and Esports Summit, scheduled for Thursday, November 30th, and Friday, December 1st, will bring together industry stakeholders to share insights and experiences on both local and global scales. With over 40 speakers, the summit provides a networking platform for those keen on exploring opportunities within these sectors, featuring internationally acclaimed experts.

This year, PLAYCON is also partnering with Global Top Round, a global game startup accelerator whose mission is to support small studios from all over the world with development, publishing, and fundraising. Since 2015, Global Top Round has supported over 60+ game studios worldwide via their GTR Accelerator program, which sees 10 new games added every year. This collaboration shall give the right platform for startups to pitch in their ideas and get a chance to accelerate forward. 

Cosplay is also encouraged for visitors (the cosplayers will also be interacting with patrons at the event)

Thursday and Friday mornings are reserved for more than 5,000 primary and secondary students expected to attend PLAYCON. These students will have the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops, engaging in various activities covering educational aspects of the esports sector, its competitive dimension, job opportunities, and emerging technologies. Sessions will also address the importance of maintaining a sustainable balance between recreational play and professional competition.

The festival will feature esports competitions in popular games such as Tekken 7, Rocket League, League of Legends, CounterStrike 2, EAFC 24, Super Smash Bros., Pokemon VGC and others.

PLAYCON will unfold from Thursday November 30 to Sunday December 3 at MFCC, Ta' Qali, with free entrance.

Organised by GMR with the support of Gaming Malta and the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds, and Lands, PLAYCON promises to be a groundbreaking event at the intersection of gaming, development, and esports.

For additional details, please visit www.playcon.mt.