gamescom

Looking for an alternative to a hotel room? Just ten minutes' walk from the North entrance of Koelnmesse showground you can set up your tent or campbed and enjoy games, sports or simply chill out on the banks of the River Rhine

The games come to Cologne from 19 to 23 August 2009 when gamescom, the event and entertainment highlight for all gamers celebrates its premiere. Koelnmesse is hosting the latest interactive games, infotainment and entertainment from the European games industry. During the day and in the evening at the festival in the city centre, trade show venue Cologne and the European gaming community will join forces under the motto "Celebrate the games". People looking for somewhere fun to stay after the trade show and festival will find a welcome at the gamescomCamp in Cologne's Youth Park, which opens to coincide with the show from 19 to 23 August 2009. The camping paradise, right on the banks of the Rhine, offers chill-out and beach club atmosphere and an extensive programme of sports and leisure activities, spanning the spectrum from football, basketball and mini golf all the way to action and adventure on the climbing course next door. After all the fun, you can then relax by the campfire and contemplate the city skyline on the banks of the river. But the best thing about the campsite is that it is just ten minutes' walk from the trade show grounds.

The gamescomCamp, Cologne's largest campsite, invites you to set up your own tent or sleep in the communal marquees on a campbed. All you need is a sleeping bag. The camp offers exclusive discounted combination tickets (from 39.50 euros) for your overnight berth, the show and travel on the transport networks of local operators VRS and VRR. There is also a breakfast buffet and simple snacks in the evening all at low cost. The Jugendhaus Café on the campsite also provides drinks, warm snacks and sweets throughout the day. You won't go empty-handed if you're looking for time to switch off and relax either. Choose from the gamer's Lounge, where you can list to music at the bar, or the campfire on the river beach, and join other gamescom campers from the gaming community to talk about your common interests. If you'd prefer to spend the evening at the computer, it goes without saying that the gamescomCamp also provides free WLAN access. On the sporting side of things, the football, basketball and volleyball on offer all live up to the name of gamescomCamp. For a small charge, the café hires out badminton rackets, Frisbees, volleyballs and footballs. Also, right next to the campsite is Rope Island, a modern climbing course. Under the watchful eyes of professional trainers, you can put your climbing skills to the test, high up in the trees. Once up there, you can enjoy a stunning panorama of the camp and the trade show grounds. Complete details about the camp and gamescom, including directions to the show, and gamescom-Festival in the city, important contact addresses and phone numbers are contained in the welcome package you receive at reception. A 24-hour security service is on hand for guests. For prices, options and information visit the homepage at www.gamescomcamp.com , where you can also order your tickets online.

gamescom is the new trade show for the interactive entertainment industry supported by the BIU, the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU). Staged under the motto "Celebrate the games", gamescom is more than just a games trade show, but combines the latest products, games and entertainment into one big festival. It is not only a platform for the European games industry to showcase its latest software and developments, but also a major venue for companies to exchange contacts and do business. At the close of the trade show, the fun and games continue at the entertainment festival in Cologne's city centre.

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You can find further information on gamescom - the trade fair and event highlight for the international interactive entertainment industry - at www.gamescom-cologne.com . The latest news is also available as an RSS feed in the press area.