3 Must Visit Travel Destinations for Gaming Fans
Sian Victoria © - Effiel tower and Bellagio fountain on the Las Vegas strip
While gaming takes place in front of a screen, it has always transported players to virtual worlds, allowing them to explore new landscapes and do things they could never dream of in their day-to-day lives. Many games take place in universes that are completely made up, bearing no resemblance to anything in real life.
However, some, like the Assassin's Creed franchise, take players on adventures to destinations that really do exist. Given the constant exploration video games encourage, it's no surprise that many gamers catch the travel bug after playing these titles. Many want to visit cities that are hubs for gaming, while others want to see the places they've explored in the virtual world in person. In this article, we look at a few of the must-visit locations for gamers.
1. Las Vegas, USA – The Entertainment Capital of the World
No city in the world can compare to Vegas when it comes to gaming. If you've never visited the city, you've seen it on TV and in the movies. We're all familiar with the Strip, where all of the action unfolds. As online casinos have found their footing in the gaming world, they've given players an opportunity to experience the excitement of Vegas on the go or from the comfort of their homes. Today, virtual platforms like PokerStars Casino offer a variety of gaming experiences, including roulette and other card and table games.
As close to reality as these virtual casinos are, many want to experience Vegas in person at least once in their lives. Whether they want to splurge on a few nights at the Bellagio or prefer a themed Vegas hotel like the Venetian, most would agree that Vegas is a gamer's dream. Vegas isn't just about casino games — it's also built an impressive esports infrastructure. All you have to do is go to the Luxor Hotel, home of the HyperX Esports Arena to see it. Since it opened back in 2018, the arena has hosted numerous events at its state-of-the-art facilities.
The city also hosts events like the Global Gaming Expo, better known as G2E, which brings together gaming professionals from all over the world to discuss innovations and trends in the gaming industry.
2. Tokyo, Japan – The Ultimate Gamer’s Paradise
Whether you're a fan of PlayStation or Nintendo is more your speed, for many, Tokyo is the heart of the video game world. When you walk down the city's streets you get to enjoy a blend of
the old and the new, a unique experience that's hard to find anywhere else. Nestled deep within the city is the Akihabara district, which is known as the gaming mecca. With its streets filled with gamers, anime fans, and electronics lovers, the energy in Akihabara is unlike anywhere else in the world. In Akihabara you'll find multi-story arcades like Taito Station where you can take a stroll down memory lane as you explore both retro and modern titles. If you're a collector, you'll be able to check out an almost limitless number of shops dedicated to gaming consoles and rare titles.
Beyond gaming, you can visit Pokémon Café and Square Enix Café for immersive dining experiences with character-inspired dishes and decoration from famous gaming franchises.
3. Cologne, Germany – A European Gaming Hotspot
Few other cities in Europe have dedicated the resources Cologne has to becoming a gaming hub, and it has paid off for the German city. Cologne is best known for hosting Gamescom, one of the largest gaming conventions in the world. Thousands of visitors descend on the city every year to attend the event, where they can test out demos and network with others in the industry. Game studios and developers often use Gamescom as a platform to make major announcements about upcoming titles and consoles.
While Gamescom is the city's biggest gaming related event, its influence goes beyond that. Throughout the year, the city welcomes a number of esports events and is home to several gaming cafes, giving gamers a place to come together and talk about their pastime.
