Gaming majors to showcase the latest technology at GITEX Computer Shopper 2004

Aided by rising Internet penetration levels, increasing number of broadband users and the introduction of superior gaming concepts, the Dhs 370 million gaming market in the Middle East is growing at a rate of 40 percent per annum and experts believe that this growth will continue over the next few years.

New software, faster processors, wireless consoles, mobile phone gaming, futuristic game pads and an opportunity to gain insight into future gaming trends is expected to attract a record number of enthusiasts as well as first time gamers to the Airport Expo, venue for GITEX Computer Shopper which runs from October 2 to 8.

High on the list of new product launches will be the Arabic development initiatives, such as Sony's "THIS IS FOOTBALL', promising to make gaming accessible to everyone in the region. Gaming enthusiasts will also be able to witness the ongoing R&D efforts and other value added concepts being developed to make gaming more challenging.

From an exhibitor's perspective, GITEX Computer Shopper plays a critical role in helping assess the gaming market by offering a chance to receive valuable customer feedback, and previewing new gaming titles and concepts.

Exhibitors include Sony, Jumbo Electronics, IT Plus, Genius Trading and Software Mart amongst many others who will be showcasing the latest from UBIsoft, Microsoft, EA Games and Sony gaming software such as EyeToy, Singstar, Gran Turismo, Athens, Getaway etc.

The Mini-PlayStation arena, which forms a part of the Sony World stand at GITEX 2004, will feature title-related thematic stands that will bring to life the spirit of software and enhance the gaming experience. Designed to generate interest in the upcoming titles to be released on PlayStation 2 this year, the areas would be called, Killzone, EyeToy: Play 2, Throttle (featuring GT4, WRC 04 and F1 2004), SingStar Party, This Is Football 2005, The Getaway: Black Monday and a mixed section.

Also on offer would be PlayStation consoles loaded with the latest software titles. Here, the recent entrants into the hi-tech world of gaming would get an opportunity to play some of the latest games.

Making gaming even more entertaining would be Sony Corporation's QRIO, the entertainment robot, visiting the Middle East for the first time during this year's edition of the GITEX Shopper 2004. Embodying the precepts of 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'Information Technology', QRIO - which is an acronym for 'Quest for Curiosity' - can walk, talk and do a lot more.

The mobile phone gamers will be able to preview the future trends as predicted by manufacturers such as Siemens and Nokia. The advanced handsets to be showcased at GITEX Computer Shopper, will allow Augmented Reality Games. Other future prototypes will include the paper like display, which will soon make it possible to have larger displays on smaller mobile phones, and a pen interaction demonstrator. Wireless multi-player games and the latest mobile software applications are expected to be a big draw at several exhibitor stands displaying the Nokia N-Gage brand.

Highlighting the convergence among various gaming channels will be Acer's digital hub for computing, home cinema, internet, television and gaming. Acer enjoys an enviable reputation of manufacturing some of the world's best gaming laptops.

Cashing in the rapidly growing uptake of gaming in the Middle East, solution players are also unveiling the latest gaming technology. Intel Corporation, through its partners, will demonstrate a host of products and technologies that significantly boosts performance, memory and graphics capabilities for workstation platforms. Faster processors offer an opportunity to provide sophisticated multimedia-rich content to the game lovers.

The latest wireless gaming consoles will be another attraction at GITEX Computer Shopper.
SENAO, Taiwanese wireless solutions company, is all set to launch the next generation high-performance Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) solutions targeted at the Middle East. The higher data transfer speed would give users a tremendous advantage when it comes to downloading multimedia content from the Internet.

Genius Computer Technology, one of the Middle East's leading suppliers for computer hardware and accessories, is expected to showcase advancements over its cordless twelve-button game pad.