Exploring the Urban Game Culture Festival GXG 2026
- Original source
- blog.naver.com
[Reporter: Kim Jung-kyun]
When you think of games, what scenery comes to mind first? You might picture yourself sitting in front of a monitor, moving a keyboard and mouse, tapping on a smartphone screen, or holding a console controller. However, gaming is not limited to the content played on screens. Music from games is performed live, characters don costumes in real life, and illustrations and stories are showcased in exhibitions, expanding into a cultural phenomenon.
The urban game culture festival, GXG 2026 (Game Culture X Generation 2026), took place in the Pangyo area of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, from September 11 to 12. This year’s GXG 2026, themed 'Enjoying Games as Culture,' offered a variety of programs for everyone from avid gamers to those unfamiliar with gaming. I visited the event to witness the moment when games become culture.
One of the unique features of GXG 2026 is that it spans multiple venues rather than being confined to a single indoor exhibition. Events were held across various locations, including the central plaza and north plaza of Pangyo Station, and Pangyo Techno Valley. The official programs were diverse, including THE STAGE for performances, THE PLAY for hands-on experiences, THE ART for exhibitions, THE FOCUS for networking, and THE FESTA for various connected events.
GXG 2026 transformed the usual atmosphere of Pangyo, with stages set up nearby featuring various performances. Upon exiting Pangyo Station, visitors were greeted by stages showcasing live shows, along with numerous interactive booths for families and friends to participate in. The scene was vibrant, with cosplayers dressed as game characters mingling with those enjoying games, creating a lively contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of Pangyo.
At the north plaza of Pangyo Station, the GXG Play Lounge was set up as a theme park where visitors could experience popular console games. This area was not limited to console gaming; it also featured tables for board games, allowing attendees to enjoy gaming culture in a more diverse way. It was a great opportunity to experience the essence of games that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of gender or age.
The Play Lounge included booths where visitors could record their voices for dubbing experiences, as well as booths showcasing books related to gaming content. Creating a game involves blending various elements like story, visuals, and audio to build a world, and this fusion of cultural content enriches our understanding of games.
GXG 2026 was not just a venue for announcing new games or hosting competitions. It welcomed players, fans of characters, music, art, voice acting, board games, and literature, allowing them to engage with game culture in their own ways. The fact that this urban event took place in the Pangyo area made it accessible, allowing people to experience game culture in their everyday environment.
Indie games were also prominently featured, drawing attention with their unique ideas and worlds. GXG 2026 served as a festival where attendees could rediscover game culture. For those well-versed in gaming, it was an opportunity to encounter familiar games in new forms, while for newcomers, it was a chance to discover the vast and diverse culture surrounding games. I witnessed the moment when games on screens connected to real people and culture in Pangyo. If GXG returns next year, what experiences would you like to have while exploring game culture? I hope that moment is filled with new joys for everyone.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/224411166423
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