Convention - Paris Games Week Restart: 5 ministers expected, a mark of official recognition for video games, a major industrial and cultural asset for France

By Mulder, 31 october 2022

"France has everything it takes to succeed in its bid to become a leader in the video game industry in Europe. We are an attractive country with many assets. Companies, talent, games: the performance and dynamism of the French video game industry offer great prospects for growth and employment in the years to come" - Nicolas Vignolles, SELL General Delegate

As the long-awaited opening of the great meeting place for all gamers approaches, Paris Games Week 2022, on the occasion of its RESTART edition, is preparing to welcome in its aisles, and for the first time, 5 government ministers. This is a wonderful sign of recognition from the public authorities, which testifies to the place that video games now occupy as a major asset for the dynamism of France, for which Paris Games Week is the showcase that offers it a worldwide influence. 

Ms. Rima Abdul-Malak, Minister of Culture, 
Ms. Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister of Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games,
Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Telecommunications,
Ms Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and the Disabled, in charge of the Disabled,
Mrs. Charlotte Caubel, Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, in charge of Children.
 
With 7 out of 10 French gamers playing video games at least occasionally and an economic weight in continuous progression representing 5.6 billion euros (CA 2021), France is by far the first creative and cultural industry in France addressing all ages (average age of the gamer at 39 years) and all genders (as many men as women gamers). A home for both male and female gamers, but also a territory of recognized expertise that has become a reference.
 
A pioneer in cutting-edge industries, France has many innovative companies in the fields of artificial intelligence, augmented, virtual and mixed reality, streaming and even Metavers. With its unique know-how and touch, France also has dozens of studios with world-renowned creations, national and international champions, and excellent training programs.
 
In the fight to protect young people online, the government ministers visiting Paris Games Week are also highlighting the video game industry's commitment to protecting minors. Very early on, as early as 2003, the video game industry made a commitment by adopting the video game rating system : PEGI. The industry also initiated PédaGoJeux, a group that provides information and raises awareness among parents about video games, in partnership with family associations and the Ministry of the Family. 
These are all protection tools, like parental control, that video games intend to make available to other platforms such as social networks, private messaging and streaming, which are not yet structured in this area.
 
For its preview evening on Tuesday, November 1 from 6 to 11 pm, the organizers of Paris Games Week are honored to receive Rima Abdul-Malak, Minister of Culture, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister of Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games and Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Telecommunications. 

On Wednesday, November 2, at 4:00 pm, Charlotte Caubel, Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, in charge of Children, will be received at the show. 

The next day, Thursday, November 3, Jean-Noël Barrot and Rima Abdul-Malak will meet with Paris Games Week exhibitors at 3:00 pm and 4:45 pm respectively.

On Friday, November 4, Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and the Disabled, will visit the event at 10:00 am.
 
Paris Games Week will also receive a visit on Tuesday, November 1 from Bruno Bonnell, Secretary General for Investment, in charge of France 2030, and numerous French and European parliamentary delegations throughout the week. 
 
Key information:
-,Open to the general public from Wednesday, November 02 to Sunday, November 06, 2022 
- Opening hours: 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
- Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles, Hall 1
- Ticketing (online only): here

(Source : press release)