Thursday 22 February 2024
Andorra was the stage for the first eSport City Talks, an event centered around innovation within the community of electronic sports and video games, organized by Andorra Business and Encom, and which was sold out. The event was focused around three content axes: the Integration of e-sports in urban development and as an economic engine; the innovative role of blockchain technology; and the exploring of synergies between gaming and education.
The Minister for Presidency, Economy, Labor and Housing, and president of Andorra Business, Conxita Marsol, who opened the event, recalled that “for the Andorran Government it is a priority sector. In fact, we have been working for almost 4 years to position the country as a reference in this sector”. Along these lines she pointed out that “the goal is to establish Andorra as a technological hub and a renowned destination for the development of these types of businesses, facilitate the arrival of companies within the sector and foment this kind of tourism in the country by organizing and promoting various events”.
The director of Andorra Business, Judit Hidalgo, highlighted that “the event allowed everyone to discover firsthand the latest trends within the sector thanks to some of the most renowned international professionals who have travelled to Andorra to share their knowledge. Furthermore, it has been a great opportunity for professional video-gamers form various countries to establish contacts and exchange ideas about an industry that is in constant evolution”.
The director of Encom, Arturo Castelló, remarked that “we are very pleased with the success of the Esports City Talks and the positioning of Andorra in the sector of electronic sports. We would like to extend our gratitude especially to Andorra Business for their indispensable collaboration and our distinguished speakers for enriching the event with their valuable contributions.”
This first edition included American, French and Spanish speakers such as: Loren Gold, Executive Vice-president of Greater Raleigh, Edward Tomasi, co-founder of Subnation, Michael Haenisch, General Director of Freaks 4U; Christina Macedo, COO of Ready Games; Christoffer Melin, CEO of CTRL Events, among others. The event was held in collaboration with the Comú of Andorra la Vella, Andorra Turisme, Assegur, Esports City League and Creand.
The lecturers analyzed the current situation of the world of videogames from a variety of perspectives, and their implications in education, the economy of cities and innovations being developed in a sector, which according to Newzoo data, moved over 1.3 Billion Euros last year.
Andorra, reference for electronic sports
Over the last few years Andorra has become a bastion for videogames. It has recently hosted events like the eSports City Fest Andorra; an International event held in the country and is included in the most important circuit of amateur electronic sports competitions linked to DreamHack Spain. In addition, the Andorran Government, along with Andorra Business has recently developed a strategic plan to place the Pyrenean country as an important actor within the value chain of electronic sports industry and sector. In fact, Andorra is the second country in Europe and fifth in the world to pass a law regulating this sector and the first to approve the development of a strategic plan.
