The selected festival is a gaming festival and to help build the foundation I’m going to analyse Gamescom which was introduced in 2009. Gamescom is annual trade fair for video games which is held at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. Gamescom is the largest gaming event in the world. It’s a huge convention where gamers can try out upcoming games, meet developers, attend panels, take part in esports tournaments and experience new gaming tech. They also have sections for to buy merchandise, retro gaming, and cosplay.
When planning a gaming trade fair/ festival, behind the vibrant displays and tech experiences, there are several problem spaces that can arise, for the Gamescom organisers these could include the following:
Furthermore, along with the problem space Gamescom organisers have to consider there is also the user wants and needs for the various user groups such as the General attendees, Game Developers & Publishers, and the Industry Professionals & Media. A few of these are shown below:
Customer reviews of Gamescom 2024 were analysed to identify key pain points essential for future planning of my own gaming festival and analysing the rival festivals pain points, can help improve my own. Complaints included unhelpful, undertrained, and unfriendly staff. A few attendees even stated they were sent the wrong direction when searching. The event attracted over 335,000 attendees, leading to congested halls and extended queues for popular game demos, which frustrated many visitors. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing the overall user experience.
Tickets must be purchased through the official Gamescom website. The site should be designed with the six key usability goals in mind, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees. These goals are outlined below, with examples tailored to the Gamescom website:
- Accessibility- ensuring the website is accessible to and usable for as many people and devices as possible.
- Efficiency- website should be easy to navigate, allowing tickets to be purchased quickly and without hassle.
- Learnability- designed for quick understanding, with clearly labelled buttons for effortless navigation.
- Call to Action (CTA)- website should guide users toward key actions ‘register for updates’ or ‘buy tickets now’
- Effectiveness- well-designed search bar ensures users can easily find information they need (error tolerance)
- Memorable- easy to remember how to use a website
The problem space differs between the website and companion app. The website would be used prior to attending the event when purchasing the ticket, while the app would be used during the event when accessing tickets and timetable along with an event map.
References:
Ryan, M. (2023)How to ensure your festival is safe and inclusive. Available online:https://promotioncentre.co.uk/blog/how-to-ensure-your-festival-is-safe-and-inclusive [Accessed 6/3/25].
Tripadviser (2025) Gamescom.https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187371-d8820236-Reviews-Gamescom-Cologne_North_Rhine_Westphalia.html [Accessed 7/3/25].
Jakob, N. (2012)Usability 101: Introduction to Usability. Available online: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability/ [Accessed 7/3/25].