Opatija is soon becoming a regional hub for gaming, technology, and pop culture thanks to the two-day festival Expo Gameri 2025, which will take place this year on May 30 and 31 at the Marino Cvetković Hall. A large number of exhibitors, numerous spectacular international and domestic guests, a diverse program on two stages, esports tournaments, and special editions of workshops, panels, quizzes, and cosplay competitions are expected.
The festival will be divided into several zones to satisfy all visitor profiles – from hardcore gamers and professionals to casual players, collectors, parents, and children. Gaming zone brings top-notch equipment and titles with the support of the main sponsor Računala.hr, which, with the help of brands like UVI, XPG, Phillips, Adata, and Trust, enables the latest configurations for PC and console games. A special experience is provided by Unreal89 VR Arcade, where visitors can step into virtual reality on a treadmill, while the domestic company ORQA presents FPV goggles and drone simulators that are already conquering global markets.
The Croatian indie scene is represented by Games Croatia and PISMO Inkubator, which gather local game developers and young talents. Visitors will be able to try their games and learn more about development in the industry. Between gaming and entertainment, the CD Media booth with the interactive experience of the game Just Dance on Nintendo Switch consoles is a must-visit.
The festival would not be complete without a rich offering of pop culture and retro content. The cult Peek&Poke museum takes visitors back to the golden age of gaming through retro computers and consoles, while stores like Other Side Poland, Big 3 Anime Shop, and Chichi's Emporium offer anime collectibles, sought-after figurines, and cards featuring popular characters. Puna Kolica, House of Games, SLG Grading Company, and Rockmark complete the offering with comics, music, books, and gaming souvenirs. In the space, visitors can refresh themselves with products from brands Kviki, Spezi, and Orangina.
Competitive spirit enthusiasts will have the chance to try their skills in esport zones. In collaboration with River City Games and Udruga 3. zmaj, tournaments are organized in popular titles: League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Tekken 8, FC25, and an exclusive tournament in the title Marvel Rivals. Outside of tournament times, all games will be available for free play.
Both days of the festival bring a rich program on two stages. Visitors will be able to follow panels, presentations, and discussions covering current topics in the industry – from cozy gaming and web3 technology to employment and education issues in the gaming sector. There will be no shortage of fun and educational content such as gaming quizzes, cosplay competitions, giveaways, workshops, and tombolas.
This year's spectacle is guaranteed by honorary guests whose names resonate in the global gaming scene:
- Rami Ismail - An indie legend and co-founder of Vlambeer, Rami Ismail is behind hits like Nuclear Throne and Ridiculous Fishing as well as the tool dopresskit.com. His advice and lectures are changing the world of gaming, and he is also known as a global mentor for indie teams.
- Johanna Pirker - Dr. Johanna Pirker (TUG, MIT) is a scientist, VR researcher, and streamer known as JoeyPrink. A Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree, she started her career at EA and today delights the gaming scene with lectures, education, and VR projects.
- Molly Heady-Carroll - An Irish 2D artist and animator, she creates fantastic creatures for Netflix, Universal, and BBC. Co-founder of Arcane Circus and creator of the Zenibeasts project, her animated hit Kaiju Cutie captivates YouTube audiences worldwide.
- Sebastien Croteau is the king of monstrous vocals! You can hear his voice in Genshin Impact, Helldivers 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and over 40 other games. A throat singing master and founder of The Monster Factory INC, he specializes in the wildest sounds in gaming.
- Aliki Katriou, a Greek metal vocalist and voice actor, specializes in monster voices in games and films. A vocal beast from Eight Lives Down and Desolate Plains, trained in vocal rehabilitation and massage, she brings true sound magic.
Croteau and Katriou come as representatives of The Monster Factory Inc, one of the world's leading teams for character vocal design in games and films, and they will share their knowledge through lectures and workshops.
The main partners of the festival are Računala.hr, which provides the technological infrastructure and prize pool, and Telemach, which brings fast internet and the Telemach chill zone – a relaxing oasis for socializing and gaming matches with popular influencer Pin Pingvin.
For all those involved in the production or development of video games, an exclusive "B2B Gamers" conference for game dev and business will be organized with a dinner at the Hotel Ambasador.
Another main attraction of this year's Expo Gameri festival is its connection with Slowmotion Festival & Conference, which combines film, music, video games, and digital technology into a unique platform for exchanging ideas and inspiration. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase a joint festival ticket for both festivals at a promotional price, which includes access to all content over three days – concerts, the conference, and the Expo Gameri program. The promotional price is €38 until May 15, and after that date, it will be €49.
Expo Gameri 2025 will be the central gathering place for the gaming community in the region – a festival where the world of video games, the latest technologies, and the creative industry meet. It is held with the support of the City of Opatija and the Tourist Board of the City of Opatija, the Croatian Tourist Board, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, and other sponsors and partners.
– Don't miss the event of the year for all video game lovers! – say the festival organizers from the marketing agency Rivira and the "3rd Dragon" Association from Rijeka, inviting everyone to secure their tickets through the official website www.expogameri.eu, where special benefits for groups, schools, and associations are also available. See you in Opatija!
