The Elite Gaming Fest (EGF) launches in Bloemfontein on Friday 9 August. The festival was born out of the 2023 iClix Gaming Expo, but the EGF aims to be bigger, better, and for the community.
“EGF is a brand that we at iClix created,” explained John Antunes, organiser of the Elite Gaming Fest. “We changed to a more independent name because we want to make this a yearly event going forward, and we want it to be a brand that fosters community gaming events.”
Antunes believes gaming is associated with several facets of life. “We think of doing sports, now you can simulate sports,” he said. “If you want to race, you can try racing simulators. It’s a virtual space for you to live out your passion.”
Elite Gaming Fest as a project started because of the love of gaming within iClix. “A lot of us at iClix are avid gamers, previously involved in a competitive space,” explained Antunes. “A lot of our staff is going to be involved in making this a success.”
With the event hosted at Doxa Deo church in Fichardt Park, EGF has committed to assisting the church’s community initiatives. “The aim of this event, and what we want to commit to, is to be community-focused,” explained Antunes. “Any profits generated by the event, we want to give back to the community.
“Doxa Deo has a lot of community initiatives that they are busy with,” he added. “So we want to donate the money coming out of this event to their projects.”
There will be sponsors and vendors exhibiting on the weekend, as well as food stalls, and even a kids area. “It’s a community gaming event,” explained Antunes, “So, you can bring your wife and your kids.
“What we’re trying to foster is a space where gamers can come together and just have fun, because in the end, gaming is a space where people play together.”
The Elite Gaming Fest will host various games, Virtual Reality, and simulators, and will even be hosting gaming tournaments with cash and other prizes.
Tickets start at R50 per person, per day, while children under 12 enter free. Visit Elite Gaming Fest’s website, www.elitegamingfest.co.za for details and tickets.
Warren Hawkins
