“Expo Gameri remains in Opatija,” were the opening words of Mayor Fernando Kirigin. Although the event was held in Rijeka for the first time last year, organizers Valentina Mišković Yoe and Marta Glažar will reportedly find their true home in Opatija. While it was a smaller-scale event, there was plenty to see, try out, and listen to.
You could find various esports zones for playing Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, League of Legends, and Valorant. Additionally, we had a unique opportunity to try out airsoft replicas or rifles with Trinity Airsoft in their dedicated indoor space. Besides video games, the event also included various anime attractions, as well as a rich offering of board and tabletop games. It was also possible to purchase equipment, from peripherals to computers and various accessories.
The Indie Zone once again showed its diversity, presenting us with already known titles, as well as some new hopefuls. Games Croatia once again shined with the games The Dunkers (Umjetnička organizacija PET RUSA) and Bura: The Way the Wind Blows (Tiny Meow Studio). Our attention was particularly drawn to Sime is Back 18+ (freely available on Steam), as well as Buckle Up!, and the FPS game SHROT, which was also playable.
Panels covered various topics: from the influence of tourism on the gaming industry and Web3 technology in video games, to explanations of the “cozy” games concept and the reasons for their popularity. There were also guests from abroad who shared their experiences and work methods. Furthermore, various quizzes, raffles, and giveaways were held.
Although this year’s Expo Gameri was somewhat smaller in scope compared to last year’s in Rijeka, where too much content was squeezed into a smaller space with an increasing number of visitors, it can certainly be acknowledged that the location in Opatija is a huge success. Now, it’s just necessary to attract some bigger players.
