Gaming hotspot Breda takes centre stage for Game Week 2024

With Playgrounds as the driving force, Game Week offers a diverse programme featuring conferences, interactive workshops, exhibitions for both young and old, and of course, games—from creating them to playing them. The event covers a wide range of topics, from the latest innovations in the gaming world to discussions about the societal impact of games. The programme also explores the effects of gaming on youth physical activity and how games can contribute to sectors such as healthcare, housing, education, and culture. The weekend of 23rd and 24th November will feature numerous exciting game activities for the whole family.

Gamechangers and emerging talent

Throughout Game Week, various internationally acclaimed gamechangers will share their experiences. Rex Crowle, the creative mind behind celebrated games like Knights and Bikes, Monkey Island, and Little Big Planet, will deliver an artist talk at Nieuwe Veste and BUas. Little Big Planet was one of the first games to allow players to create their own virtual worlds. Additionally, Floris Kaayk and Tijmen Meijer will present their surreal game Microtopia, set for release in early 2025.

Up-and-coming talent will also have a platform during Game Week. At BUas, they will have the opportunity to have their portfolios reviewed by professionals and present their work to potential investors.

Serious games and esports

The serious games programme will explore how gaming can be used to solve real-world problems. Bredata will demonstrate how gaming is ‘more than just a game’ through practical examples of its positive impact on personal growth, teamwork, and societal progress.

Esports has now surpassed the film and TV industry in global revenue. The Breda Esports Conference will discuss future developments in the esports sector. The Brabant Esports Talent Hub, organised on behalf of Brabant Sport, will host an Esports bootcamp with top professionals, including the renowned Dutch esports commentator Maurits Meeusen. Breda-based esports association Dynasty will organise a Company Cup to encourage team-building among businesses.

“As a city with so much technology and knowledge, we must utilise and highlight these assets,” says Leon van Rooij, Game Week organiser and Playgrounds director. “In Breda, we work closely with the government and relevant partners to create a professional, accessible, and internationally oriented hub for gaming in the Netherlands.”

International hotspot

Carla Kranenborg-van Eerd, Breda’s councillor for economic affairs, states, “Breda is an international hotspot for applied technology and creativity. We are known for our strong creative sector and the rapidly growing game industry. With Game Week, we are further establishing Breda as a thriving centre for gaming and creative entrepreneurship.”

She and her colleague, culture councillor Marike de Nobel, are working together to make Breda excel in its strengths. Marike de Nobel adds, “It’s a great privilege to have a cultural organisation like Playgrounds in our city. They provide the talents we train in Breda with a solid foundation, an international stage, and a valuable network.”

Game education and incubator

Breda is home to over 4,000 Dutch and international students specialising in video games, esports, digital art, leisure, and related fields. Avans Creative Innovation offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes in art, design, technology, and economics. De Rooi Pannen provides a course in E-Leisure & Events Management. BUas’ Creative Media and Game Technologies programme is globally recognised as one of the best in game education.

Councillor Kranenborg-van Eerd emphasises, “We want to retain the vast pool of gaming talent we have here. Alongside educational institutions and the Province of North Brabant, we are investing significantly to make Breda a city with numerous companies that game graduates are eager to join. This is achieved by enhancing the city’s appeal not only in terms of living and working but also in cultural offerings. We are building the city’s future.”

B’GAME: Incubator for game developers

During Game Week, on 22nd November at 3:00 pm, Councillor Carla Kranenborg-van Eerd and Provincial Executive Martijn van Gruijthuijsen from North Brabant will officially launch the B’GAME Incubator digitally. The opening, part of the Game Art & Design Conference at BUas, will be preceded by a speech from a representative of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science.

Tickets for Game Week can be reserved via bredagameweek.nl.