Inside Paris Games Week 2025: Gaming, cosplay and pop culture • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

Paris Games Week (PGW)
Esports
Card Games (Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh)
Cosplay
Music Concerts (Clare Obscure Expedition 33, Big Flow and Oi)
French Gaming Industry (40 million gamers, €5-6 billion annual revenue)
Samsung Racing Simulator

Paris Games Week: 14th Edition Highlights

Paris Games Week (PGW) has returned for its 14th edition, transforming over 5,000 square meters into a vibrant hub for gamers of all ages. The event showcases a diverse range of attractions, from cutting-edge technology to beloved collectibles and immersive entertainment.

New Attractions and Gaming Experiences

A significant draw for attendees like Pierre, who traveled from Bordeaux, is the opportunity to test new gaming hardware. Pierre's primary objective was to experience the Samsung racing simulator, slated for an official release in 2026. This highlights PGW's role as a platform for previewing upcoming gaming technology.

The event is comprehensively dedicated to the world of gaming, featuring:

Esports competitions: Showcasing professional gaming talent and intense rivalries.
Live streaming sessions: Connecting creators with their audiences in real-time.
Creator meet-and-greets: Allowing fans to interact with their favorite online personalities.

Dedicated Zones and Fan Communities

Beyond the main exhibition floor, PGW hosts specialized areas catering to specific fan interests:

Card Games Venue: A 2,000 square meter space dedicated to card games. This area serves as a gathering point for fans to play and trade collectible cards, such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards accumulated over years. The mention of a "Star Wars game" on the way also indicates the presence of diverse gaming genres.
Cosplay: Super fans actively participate by dressing up as their favorite characters. An example provided is a cosplayer dressed as "Met from Clare Obscure," demonstrating the dedication and creativity within the cosplay community.

Evening Entertainment: Concerts Debut

For the first time in its history, Paris Games Week features evening concerts. This expansion into live music signifies a broader approach to entertainment.

Clare Obscure Expedition 33: The musicians behind the French phenomenon performed live for hundreds of fans, coinciding with Halloween.
Big Flow and Oi: The French rap duo, with over a million online streams, also took to the stage, further diversifying the musical offerings.

The French Gaming Landscape

The transcript highlights France's significant position in the global gaming industry:

Gamer Population: Approximately 40 million gamers reside in France.
Industry Revenue: The gaming industry generates an estimated €5 to 6 billion annually.

This data underscores France's status as a "major player" in the gaming sector.

Future Aspirations for Paris Games Week

Organizers of Paris Games Week have ambitious plans for the future, aiming to elevate the event further. Their aspirations include hosting concerts in theaters and organizing a parade down the Champs-Élysées, indicating a vision for a more expansive and integrated cultural celebration of gaming.

Synthesis and Conclusion

Paris Games Week 2023, in its 14th iteration, has successfully expanded its offerings beyond traditional gaming exhibitions. The event caters to a wide spectrum of the gaming community, from those eager to test next-generation simulators like the Samsung racing simulator to collectors of Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, and dedicated cosplayers. The introduction of evening concerts featuring prominent French artists like Clare Obscure Expedition 33 and Big Flow and Oi marks a significant evolution. With France boasting a substantial gamer base and a robust gaming industry, PGW's organizers are setting their sights on even grander future events, envisioning a cultural phenomenon that rivals major city parades. The event serves as a testament to the growing influence and diverse appeal of the gaming world.