Throughout the day, visitors can discover and try out new games at the Limburghal. National and international publishers will present their latest games, while emerging developers test their prototypes. Local game clubs will introduce visitors to their activities, and various game stores will be present.
Melanie, owner of the Genk-based game store MagicVortex, is present again with her team. She views the festival as a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of their gaming experience. "Whether you're a die-hard player who knows all the rules by heart, or you've never heard of TCG: everyone is welcome," she says. "There's a huge variety of offerings, for young and old. And who knows, you might discover a whole new world of games you didn't know was for you."
At MagicVortex, there's much to explore, focusing on board games and trading card games such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Lorcana. Additionally, loose cards, accessories, and fun gadgets will be available. However, the festival isn't solely about purchasing; it also offers opportunities to browse, gain inspiration, and try out new games.
According to Melanie, the festival is primarily about bringing people together. "You can just look around, get inspired, and have a fun day together. Games bring people together." The Game Festival is therefore a great outing with friends or family, even if you're not specifically going to buy something. You might even discover a new favorite game for your next game night.
For those who enjoy finding bargains, there's a second-hand stand where surprising discoveries can be found at a low price. Players who have games gathering dust at home that are no longer played can register them in advance to have them sold at the festival.
