Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) games seem to be a main stream of the next generation games.

It is expected that the games will be positioned as the future leader of the game industry with the release of games that combine VR and AR technology at the `2017 Play expo (PlayX4)` game exhibition held at KINTEX on May 25.

The Play Expo (PlayX4), a game exhibition hosted by Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Provincial Content Promotion Agency, opened at the Kintex exhibition site in Gyeonggi Province on the same day. The event organizers revealed that more than 600 companies and buyers have attended the event.

The main character of the Play Expo was VR and AR in the expo. According to the organizers, there were 30 exhibitors and 93 booths for VR and AR related games this year. Organizers explained that 12 exhibitors and 36 booths each increased last year more than one time a year.

Most of VR game booths were crowded with a long line of visitors. In particular, many visitors attended the `Gyro VR` booth, a show which has been launched at the International Electronics Fair (CES) and Mobile World Congress (MWC) this year, together with Samsung Electronics. In fact, when we boarded the `Gyro VR`, the bobsleigh virtual experience contents were played back in the background of PyeongChang. The VR content that was stuck on the swinging device from every direction, 2 minutes and 30 seconds passed by the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, Dragon Fly has introduced `Special Force VR` and `Ttobot VR` for the first time in Korea. The company explained that Special Force VR, which utilizes Intellectual Property (IP), is one of the world`s most popular one person shooter (FPS) online game. `Special Force VR` will be released next month, `Vibe` version of HTC`s VR device in Taiwan, and `PlayStation VR` version of Sony will be released within the third quarter of this year. On the other hand, vibe version of `Ttobot VR`, a shooting game that utilizes domestic robot character, `iRobot IP`, is also expected to be released within the third quarter.

Visitor and Chinese buyer visited VR and AR experience outdoor hall `Wow Space` installed by Gyeonggi Province. In particular, the AR Book, which plays an image that looks like a space planet in front of a user when real books are spread out along with AR devices, attracted attention with contents which added AR technology. HO Entertainment`s VR FPS game `Incheon Landing Operation 1950` which has been developed with the support of Incheon Economy & Industrial Information Techno Park was also launched.

In addition to VR and AR games, Netmarble Games` mobile game `Pentastorm for Kakao` and Webzen`s mobile game `Azera: Iron Heart` were also exhibited. Memorable game the DDR and the iron fist was also attracted popularity.

Lee Jae-yul, the vice-governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Play Expo is a core for the fourth industry and a place to confirm the growth potential of the next generation of game. He also said, "We will help young people to become entrepreneurs and get jobs." `2017 Play Expo` will be held for four days until May 28.

By Jin Hyun Jin 2jinhj@


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