The Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, together with the Chief Executive Officer of GamingMalta, Ivan Filetti, officially opened the summit of the fifth edition of Playcon, which, as from tomorrow, will welcome hundreds of students at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali.
What started as a dream five years ago has today become Malta’s leading video games and esports expo, an event that continues to grow in popularity every year. This initiative brings together all key stakeholders from the creative, entrepreneurial, educational, and academic sectors, fostering stronger collaboration between industry, students, and professionals.
This year’s edition of Playcon features exhibitions by leading stakeholders in the video games and esports industries, B2B summits, esports competitions, and educational sessions aimed at students.
“Over the coming days, this venue will welcome more than 25,000 visitors, host over 60 exhibitors, and reach an online audience of more than 24 million users. These figures clearly reflect our country’s strengthened commitment to education, talent development, and economic growth, key pillars that are consolidating Malta’s international position in these sectors,” explained Minister Schembri during the Playcon Summit.
Through the annual organisation of such events, Malta continues to reinforce the value of these new economic niches, while underlining the importance of the video games development and esports industries as an integral part of the country’s digital economy.
“Thanks to continuous investment, specialised courses at MCAST, and our collaboration with Unity, we are giving a strong boost to education in this field. I am pleased to announce that 400 students have already been trained, with a further 200 students joining next year,” stated the Minister.
These initiatives align with the Malta Vision 2050, which aims to build a society based on innovation, digital skills, and equal opportunities for all.
Gaming Malta CEO Ivan Filetti praised Malta’s success in the video games sector, emphasising the government’s focus on investing in creativity to drive further growth. “We are offering not only clear policies and incentives but also a strong infrastructure that supports studios, entrepreneurs, and investors in seeing Malta as an attractive destination,” Filetti said.
Playcon will be open to local school students tomorrow, Thursday 9th, and Friday 10th, and open to the general public on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October, between 10:30am and 7:00pm at the MFCC, Ta’ Qali. For more information, visit: www.playcon.mt
Photo: MEEP
