This year marks the centenary of Lithuania’s tank history, when in 1924 the first tanks reached Lithuania, with the chosen ones being the French „Renault FT-17“. Each tank was adorned with Lithuanian symbolism, and each tank bore important names for Lithuania: „Kovas“, „Karžygys“, „Kerštas“, „Drąsuolis“, „Galiūnas“, „Griaustinis“, „Pikuolis“, „Giltinė“, „Slibinas“, „Smūgis“, „Pagieža“, and „Audra.“
To commemorate this centenary, there will be an opportunity to control a Lithuanian tank in a game. This year’s „GameOn“ event is organized by „Litexpo“ and the Lithuanian Game Developers Association (LŽKA). According to its director Gediminas Tarasevičius, this year the centenary of Lithuanian tanks will be celebrated not only in person but also virtually. The opportunity to ride in a Lithuanian tank and even try it out in battle will be provided by the global computer game developer and distributor „Wargaming,“ who will have their own exclusive space at the event.
„We have organized the ‚GameOn‘ event for the 7th time, and it has always had a recurring continuity – the event has never lacked impressive firsts. This year there will be many firsts: we will celebrate Lithuanian history by bringing a real tank, partnering with companies to create souvenirs that will be available only at the event, or building the first museum of this size for computer and board games. We are also very pleased that this year the Vilnius-based video game developer and distributor ‚Wargaming‘ has joined the event. Thanks to them, we will have the opportunity to commemorate the centenary of Lithuanian tanks in one of the world’s most popular games – ‚World of Tanks.‘ Players from all over the world will be able to decorate their tanks with Lithuanian inscriptions or other attributes that replicate the historical design of the Renault FT tank from 100 years ago,“ says G. Tarasevičius.
„We have created a unique event for Lithuania in the game, introducing unique game elements tailored to this special occasion. Players will be able to use Lithuanian game elements that they can apply to their tanks in the game. We want to encourage greater involvement of the Lithuanian gaming community, combining the country’s history with gaming culture. In addition, event participants will have the opportunity to test their skills in a unique gaming zone, where they will experience the real excitement of ‚World of Tanks‘ battles. They will also have the opportunity to form a tank crew in an interactive simulator and demonstrate their skills in driving, aiming, and shooting in the virtual gaming space,“ said WOT product manager Evgenijus Krištopovičius, responsible for this event.
From a symphonic orchestra concert to 100 participants, as Gediminas Tarasevičius states, this year’s event is organized in such a way that a wide audience of visitors will find activities or interesting solutions that are relevant to them.
„The ‚GameOn‘ event, which has been held for many years, is rightly considered one of the largest and most visited events not only in Lithuania but also in the entire Baltic region. Partly this is due to the multi-faceted nature of this event-conference: visitors can expect unconventional stands, cosplay events, many speakers and participants, of which there will be more than 100 this year. The event will also feature prominent highlights, including the aforementioned commemoration of the centenary of Lithuanian tanks or the symphonic orchestra concert, during which compositions of computer game soundtracks will be performed,“ says G. Tarasevičius.
For more information about the upcoming largest computer gaming culture event in the Baltic countries, „GameOn,“ visit the event’s website.