HUNDREDS gathered on the second floor of the Marriott Hotel, on Saturday, for Guyana’s first-ever ‘Game Fest’. The event received overwhelming support from sponsors, the public, and Guyana’s growing gaming sphere. Among the biggest sponsors were internet provider GTT, Zoon Online Shopping, and Smalta. More than an exhibition, the event hosted tournaments where players competed in games such as PUBG Mobile, Mortal Kombat, and Call of Duty.

More than 200 young men and women competed for more than a million dollars in cash prizes. Although Game Fest saw countless people out to enjoy the playful and exciting atmosphere of the event, some participants embarked on the event with different intentions. To most people, gaming is a pastime that is left in childhood. Those attending Game Fest said the event was much more. It was the first step in developing E-sports in Guyana and giving visibility to a lesser-known community.

From Concept to Reality: The Launch of Guyana’s First Games Fest
One of the many young minds behind the initiative is Trevon Gomes, who is the President of Game Fest. Amidst the excited people in attendance, Trevon shared the aim of Game Fest, the work that went into it, and the impressive plans he and his team have for moving forward.

“We are hosting major tournaments here today. We give players a chance to compete and win prizes and to also build the gaming community in Guyana. We have many different things we want to introduce.” Virtual reality is something that Trevon sees as having the potential to grow in Guyana.

Curator and stakeholder of the event, Dave Savory, sees this year’s event as the first small step of many. He shared, “Our hope for Game Fest is to grow the E-sports community here in Guyana and potentially in the Caribbean.”
The team has a cohesive plan for an array of events, with another Game Fest being held next year. The ambience and energy created by the event were by design, said Trevon, as they seek to create an experience.

The Business Side of Gaming in Guyana

Because of how new gaming and its accompanying aspects are to Guyana, business in the field is not something many people explore. Amid the hustle and bustle of the day was ‘Klassy Kitty’, a store focused on all things anime and games-related. Owner of ‘Klassy Kitty’, Kira Santos, was among the many booths present at the fest. Although she works a full-time job, Kira still takes time out to participate in conventions and events like Game Fest. She shared that, “I am a bit of a gamer. I play League of Legends and Super Mario. That’s what I grew up on. It was the first game my dad introduced us to.”

Her business has been up and running for the past three years. In recent times, Kira says the industry and following for the community of gaming have grown. And with the implementation of Game Fest, she has no doubt it will continue to develop. She shared, “I work full-time too. I asked for the time off to be here. Since I opened the business, especially for all things anime, my customers love us. It has been good.”

Igniting competition and competitors

When we think of sports, we imagine something fast-paced that requires skill and dedication; and E-sports is no different. Hundreds of people queued up to be part of the tournaments Game Fest had to offer. Although E-sports in Guyana is still growing, the industry as it stands is very competitive and has created a strong community. Among the gamers at Game Fest 2024 was Nathaniel Lee. Competing in Mortal Kombat, Nathaniel heard about the venue on Facebook. He saw it as an opportunity and, although surprised, he is happy about the support gaming in Guyana is gaining. He shared, “I wanted to come along and compete and play with other people; to see how good I am. Now that I see how big Game Fest is, I can say that yes, gaming in Guyana is a big thing.”
He further shared that more events like this are needed to not only grow gaming but also to encounter more gamers. “As a gamer being here makes me feel more confident. And I want to see them continue this.”

More than Gaming

Among the groups of gamers and cosplayers, there were also families. Many parents brought out their children to be part of the event and immerse themselves in the atmosphere and community. One father, Michael Atherly, took his three children to the event. He shared that, as a family, gaming is something they love, “We love gaming. I’ve got two boys and a daughter who love gaming, so I said this is where we need to go.”

Whereas some people came out for the games and ambience, Michael came for the experience. “It is a bonding experience for the family. In the sense that we get to experience it together, and it makes it memorable.” Michael is like so many adults who see gaming as a hobby and a welcome escape from the stress of work. He shared that for him, jumping on a game is one of the things he does at the end of a long day.
“As an adult after a stressful day at work, I wean myself off with gaming. And now to have something like this, it brings a little more excitement. The nostalgia of when I was young and now I get to experience that with my kids.”

Game Fest is the first of many steps toward growing an otherwise unknown industry in the region.