After the game is before the game
For the 2nd time, as might be expected, the gamescom was hyped by the usual PR-routines in the run-up and in the summary it is sure to be praised in glowing terms as a success, just like it was last year.
Looking back, how was it in 2009? Were the 245,000 visitors, the mentioned gamers and those interested in peripherals really convinced by the exhibitors' - at least from our point of view - rather average performance? Could they really take home a sense of genuine enthusiasm from the GC 2009? It may be that the gamers' hearts - just like ours at first - had beaten higher when they first entered the GC, but then? Our pulse went back down to normal rather quickly already during the visit - unfortunately.
But why?
Ultimately, all games studios had wrapped up a lot of energy for the GC and took on financial burdens in order to create an emotional climax during the GC. However, was this “energy level” intelligently held high and “played” even further in both medial and temporal dimensions? Do loveless incentives like cheap key rings and mouse pads suffice? Is this the right way to keep one’s self alive in the heart of a Gamer even after the “emotional peak” of a GC?
We believe that the majority of the gaming community - both casual gamers and dedicated multipliers - would honor a game title or its developer/publisher with more "loyalty" by means of tangible additional value that goes far beyond the short exhibition period of a GC, thus identify themselves much more as a "fan community".
But let's see - we're on site in Cologne again this year, and then we'll see how far they look out of the box this time.
