Considering the recent events that occurred in Paris, and just a fortnight from when I had the pleasure of visiting, I was having second thoughts about doing this article. But the true victory of the terrorists comes when we actually allow them to achieve their goal: to terrorize. To make you have second thoughts about doing something that you normally would because now, things are somehow different due to their actions. That is when they have truly succeeded. So I will talk about the wonderful time I had at the Paris Games Week as if nothing had happened. And to the innocents that lost their lives, may they rest in peace.
So yes, I was fortunate enough to visit the city of Paris and attend the Games Week. After I had landed at the Orly airport, I found it a bit difficult getting around, even though I had mapped out where I was supposed to go before I left, because everything was in French! And the people, even though I made an effort to speak their language but couldn't, didn't really seem to care. This is something that must be said; the people in Paris are very rude!
After struggling to find my way, I eventually took the shuttle bus, which led me to one of the tram lines, which would take me right outside the Porte Des Versailles area, where the expo was being held. After finding the place I was going to stay, I purchased my ticket from the (rude) lady at the booth and I went straight in!
I think whoever founded the term "nerdvana", must've had a situation like this in mind! Thousands of people everywhere, massive stands for every gaming company and announcements and shows non-stop, people waiting in endless lines, competitions with amazing awards, and on the outside, just exhausted people siting anywhere they could find. That pretty much describes the situation at the Paris Games Week.
Of course, being the fanboy that I am, the first place I sought out was the Square Enix stand where I could find out the latest news for my most anticipated game, Final Fantasy XV. However, I was disappointed to find them talking about Just Cause 3, which I don't really care about. But as I was about to walk away, the people on the stage started giving out gifts (I have no idea what!) to the crowd and everyone just went into beast mode! I am talking mothers lifting their little girls over their shoulders crazy! Quite the sight to behold!
I got to try out some new games, some old ones, but one of the most incredible experiences I had at the show was with the Playstation VR (as I hear their calling it these days!). I had heard good things about it but with media you know to always take things with a grain of salt. But after trying it out for myself in a game called "London Heist", I believe everything! It was like there were people actually shooting at me, not to mention it grants the player 360 vision of his surroundings. I don't know how they pulled it off but it's amazing. It was also hilarious just sitting there watching other players jumping all around while playing.
There was of course a massive stage for e-sports, but I didn't stay there long. I was just shocked by how popular this sport has become. There must've been at least 500 people watching 2 teams duke it out on World of Warcraft (or it could've been Lineage, I can never tell the difference between the two).
Nintendo of course were going strong! They were right in front and to the left as soon as people walked in and they had all sorts of tournaments going on! From a handheld Pokemon tournament, to Mario Kart and Splatoon tournaments on the Wii U, their loyal crowds weren't moving from there!
But for me, the "winners" of the show were Ubisoft. Yup, that's right! They had a huge stage for their new Just Dance game on which they had professional dancers bring up people from the crowd constantly and make them part of the show. It seemed like a lot of fun. And behind that stage there was another, on which they talked about their new Assassin's Creed: Syndicate game. They got a lot of the hub of the show! But then again, so did EA and Naughty Dog.
On the second day (of course I went a second day!) I attended, I got to try a delicious Behemoth Burger from the great people at the Final Fantasy XV caravan right outside the show. The chips were nothing out of the ordinary but the burger was great! Tasted like one of my mother's! I also had a look around at the merchandise area. There was anything and everything a game freak can imagine. From comfortable gaming chairs to t-shirts to mouses with a thousand buttons on them... you name it, they had it!
All in all, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. It was an enormous and very busy area. There was a lot of ground to cover in just 2 days but I believe I made the most of it. My thoughts as I was walking these halls were "if this is this crowded, imagine what goes on at E3!". Till next time...
So yes, I was fortunate enough to visit the city of Paris and attend the Games Week. After I had landed at the Orly airport, I found it a bit difficult getting around, even though I had mapped out where I was supposed to go before I left, because everything was in French! And the people, even though I made an effort to speak their language but couldn't, didn't really seem to care. This is something that must be said; the people in Paris are very rude!
After struggling to find my way, I eventually took the shuttle bus, which led me to one of the tram lines, which would take me right outside the Porte Des Versailles area, where the expo was being held. After finding the place I was going to stay, I purchased my ticket from the (rude) lady at the booth and I went straight in!
I think whoever founded the term "nerdvana", must've had a situation like this in mind! Thousands of people everywhere, massive stands for every gaming company and announcements and shows non-stop, people waiting in endless lines, competitions with amazing awards, and on the outside, just exhausted people siting anywhere they could find. That pretty much describes the situation at the Paris Games Week.
Of course, being the fanboy that I am, the first place I sought out was the Square Enix stand where I could find out the latest news for my most anticipated game, Final Fantasy XV. However, I was disappointed to find them talking about Just Cause 3, which I don't really care about. But as I was about to walk away, the people on the stage started giving out gifts (I have no idea what!) to the crowd and everyone just went into beast mode! I am talking mothers lifting their little girls over their shoulders crazy! Quite the sight to behold!
I got to try out some new games, some old ones, but one of the most incredible experiences I had at the show was with the Playstation VR (as I hear their calling it these days!). I had heard good things about it but with media you know to always take things with a grain of salt. But after trying it out for myself in a game called "London Heist", I believe everything! It was like there were people actually shooting at me, not to mention it grants the player 360 vision of his surroundings. I don't know how they pulled it off but it's amazing. It was also hilarious just sitting there watching other players jumping all around while playing.
There was of course a massive stage for e-sports, but I didn't stay there long. I was just shocked by how popular this sport has become. There must've been at least 500 people watching 2 teams duke it out on World of Warcraft (or it could've been Lineage, I can never tell the difference between the two).
But for me, the "winners" of the show were Ubisoft. Yup, that's right! They had a huge stage for their new Just Dance game on which they had professional dancers bring up people from the crowd constantly and make them part of the show. It seemed like a lot of fun. And behind that stage there was another, on which they talked about their new Assassin's Creed: Syndicate game. They got a lot of the hub of the show! But then again, so did EA and Naughty Dog.
On the second day (of course I went a second day!) I attended, I got to try a delicious Behemoth Burger from the great people at the Final Fantasy XV caravan right outside the show. The chips were nothing out of the ordinary but the burger was great! Tasted like one of my mother's! I also had a look around at the merchandise area. There was anything and everything a game freak can imagine. From comfortable gaming chairs to t-shirts to mouses with a thousand buttons on them... you name it, they had it!
All in all, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. It was an enormous and very busy area. There was a lot of ground to cover in just 2 days but I believe I made the most of it. My thoughts as I was walking these halls were "if this is this crowded, imagine what goes on at E3!". Till next time...
