On the 14th, BEXCO in Busan, where 'G-STAR 2024' was held, was filled with visitors. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon
'Expected waiting time to enter the demo zone: 120 minutes.'
On the opening day, the 14th, Busan BEXCO, hosting Korea's largest game exhibition 'G-STAR 2024,' was packed with visitors. Especially at the entrance to the demo zone where visitors could play games firsthand, hundreds lined up to wait. The wait time ranged from as little as 40 minutes to over 2 hours before entry was possible.
One of the most crowded spots was the booth set up by Nexon. Participating as the main sponsor for the first time in 7 years, Nexon prepared a large-scale exhibition hall with 300 booths in the B2C (business-to-consumer) exhibition area. They installed about 500 demo devices to allow visitors to experience four new titles: 'First Berserker: Kazan,' 'Project Overkill,' 'Supervibe,' and 'Hwansae Chwihojeon Online.' Especially, long lines formed to demo 'First Berserker: Kazan' and 'Project Overkill.' Two staff members were busy holding signs pointing to the demo zone entrance and guiding visitors.
People are waiting to participate in the demonstration event of 'Project Overkill' and 'First Berserker: Kazan' organized by Nexon. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon
Long queues also formed at demo spaces of famous game companies such as Krafton, Netmarble, Pearl Abyss, and Webzen. Krafton offered demo opportunities and events including giveaways for 'Hi-Fi Rush,' 'Dingcom Together,' 'Project Ark,' 'inZOI (Enjoy),' and 'Magical Girl Kawaii Lovely Zkyungdokyung Bakyungbuyung Luruping (Magical Girl Luruping)'.
Netmarble showcased two new titles through 100 booths and 170 demo stations: 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad,' based on the IP of the drama 'Game of Thrones,' and 'Mongil: STAR DIVE,' an action role-playing game (RPG) that succeeds the previous game Monster Taming. Pearl Abyss also demonstrated 'Red Desert,' the sequel to 'Black Desert.'
Kim (31), who visited the site that day, said, "Because I can try the games in advance, I can endure the long wait," adding, "Receiving goods after demoing is also one of the reasons I participate."
Hundreds of people also crowded around the Google Play booth. Mobile games such as 'Cookie Run: Tower of Adventures' and the multiplayer competitive party game 'Sonic Rumble' were available to try, but all had notices of 'Demo zone queue temporarily closed.' An event official explained, "We temporarily close the queue when crowds gather and there is a risk of safety accidents."
A notice sign about the expiration of the waiting period has been installed in the queue for "Cookie Run: Tower of Adventures" prepared by the Google Play Store. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon
Also on this day at G-STAR 2024, visitors cosplaying as game characters were easily spotted. They wore flashy costumes or wigs. Some dressed to imitate specific professions or wore character masks.
Cosplay events organized by each game company were also held. Netmarble set up a stage for cosplaying characters from 'Mongil: STAR DIVE.' Models dressed as characters from Krafton's entry 'Project Ark' also attracted visitors' attention.
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