Gaming Experience’ lands in Gran Canaria: the multicultural event that changes everything

The island of Gran Canaria is getting ready to host one of the biggest video game, esports and urban culture festivals in its history. On June 13, 14 and 15, the Alisios Shopping Center, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, will host Gaming Experience Gran Canaria, an event organized by A1M Entertainment and funded by the Vice-Presidency of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, which, unprecedented in the capital island, is presented as one of the greatest exponents dedicated to the world of video games, esports and urban cultures of the Canary Islands.

The presentation, held this morning at the Alisios shopping center, was attended by the following people Augusto HidalgoFirst Vice-president and Councilor of Public Works and Infrastructures, Architecture and Housing of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria; Daniel MoralesDirector General of Youth of the Government of the Canary Islands; Antonio CabreraCEO of A1M Entertainment; Zelika, one of the biggest Spanish-speaking content creators and Raquel CostelaDirector of Marketing and Communication of CC Alisios. All of them also had the opportunity to play a game of All on Board, a game developed by the Canarian studio The Game Kitchen, one of the largest in Spain.

It was curious that on this island there was no event highlighting this sector. We now have something in our hands that is going to be really spectacular, which also combines economic activity with video games.

Augusto Hidalgo

It is a 100% Canarian production and this must be highlighted. It will be a totally free event. Made in the Canary Islands for everyone to participate.

Daniel Morales

We are in a time of restructuring for the video game industry. One where festivals and large industry meetings must evolve and adapt to new ways of connecting with the audience. That’s why betting on spaces like the Alisios Shopping Center is not a coincidence: it is a declaration of intent. We are bringing the gaming culture to the center of everyday life, breaking the traditional barriers of fairgrounds and bringing entertainment, technology and digital art to all audiences. A path that we undertake with Gaming Experience Gran Canaria, an event that would not be possible without the strong support of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, which has demonstrated a clear and firm vision in its support for cultural and creative industries as an engine of economic diversification for the island.

Antonio Cabrera

I am shocked that an event like this can be held in Gran Canaria. You can’t even imagine the dimension it will have. Gaming is more than necessary and time will show us the way.

Zelika

Our goal is to bring everything related to gaming to the general public. Here we will play, live and share.

Raquel Costela

With an exponential growth in recent decades, video games have positioned themselves as the main source of leisure and entertainment of the XXI century; being the Canary Islands a national and international meeting point for the industry thanks to events like Tenerife GG or the Canary League Esports, both initiatives, led by A1M, which evolves the concept of festivals to a new dimension. An event that is part of the GG Worldwide Festivals initiative and that will attract more than 30,000 visitors during three days where culture, art, technology and video games will immerse attendees in 164,000 square meters dedicated to activities and adventures for all audiences.

Located in a privileged place for family and youth leisure, Gaming Experience Gran Canaria will deploy its activities through ten thematic areas designed for all tastes and ages. Attendees will be able to enjoy, among others, the gaming and esports area; an area dedicated to board games; a special territory for K-pop and cosplay; a sector for independent video game developers and emerging creators; a kids territory with activities for the youngest and families; and a professional enclave of the highest level with conferences, round tables and speakers of the highest prestige within the video game and technology industry.

The first edition of Gaming Experience Gran Canaria is postulated as the reference festival of the sector. “It is not only a commitment to entertainment, but a way to bring the world of video games and urban culture to all audiences, completely free of charge”, emphasize from the organization.

The central square of the Alisios Shopping Center will be the heart of the event. There, in front of the main stage, multiple activities will take place, among them: official esports competitions, free gaming areas, indie studios exhibitions, board game tournaments, proposals for the little ones, performances and personalities of the sector, among other surprises. All this makes up the first edition of Gaming Experience Gran Canaria, which, according to the organization, will be held in Gran Canaria, “is created as the prelude to a strategy of events, actions and projects that will turn Gran Canaria into a reference in the video game industry in Europe”.

An industry with a turnover of more than 2,339 million euros per year.

Video games have become the first choice for audiovisual leisure in Spain in recent years. According to the Spanish Video Game Association, the sector increased its turnover last year by 16%, reaching a record 2,339 million euros. Similarly, the number of video game users in Spain increased to 21 million. At present, there are almost 20 million people in Spain who play some kind of video game within an age bracket ranging from six to 64 years old.

A company from the Canary Islands leading the change

This ambitious project is led by A1M Entertainment, a Canarian consultancy with audiovisual production capabilities with more than 20 years of experience in the sector, which has worked alongside giants such as Intel, Google, Amazon, Riot Games, Electronic Arts or Ubisoft. Founded by Antonio Cabrera, creator of TLP Tenerife, Tenerife GG, Liga Canaria de Esports, among many other assets in the sector.

A1M has made the Canary Islands its center of operations and innovation. From here it has promoted the largest regional esports platform in Europe, with more than 30,000 active users, and has organized festivals that have brought together more than 800,000 people throughout its history “Our vocation is international, we develop projects within the video game sector that transcend, innovate and help the sector to evolve”. says Cabrera.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has all the elements to become the capital of the gaming industry. With a strategic position in the markets of Europe, Africa and America, this open, multicultural, modern city, with advanced infrastructures and global connectivity, has an enormous tradition in terms of the technological business fabric with incentives such as the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC), which has facilitated the settlement of more than 20 video game development studios on the islands.