Saudi Aramco Highlights Innovation in Pavilion at Esports World Cup Events

The pavilion includes an event titled "Virtual Reality Races on Jeddah Corniche Circuit," one of the main attractions offering visitors a unique experience through competitive races in a virtual environment simulating the famous Jeddah Corniche Circuit. (SPA)
The pavilion includes an event titled "Virtual Reality Races on Jeddah Corniche Circuit," one of the main attractions offering visitors a unique experience through competitive races in a virtual environment simulating the famous Jeddah Corniche Circuit. (SPA)
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Saudi Aramco Highlights Innovation in Pavilion at Esports World Cup Events

The pavilion includes an event titled "Virtual Reality Races on Jeddah Corniche Circuit," one of the main attractions offering visitors a unique experience through competitive races in a virtual environment simulating the famous Jeddah Corniche Circuit. (SPA)
The pavilion includes an event titled "Virtual Reality Races on Jeddah Corniche Circuit," one of the main attractions offering visitors a unique experience through competitive races in a virtual environment simulating the famous Jeddah Corniche Circuit. (SPA)

Saudi Aramco's pavilion at the Esports World Cup, the largest event in gaming history being held at Boulevard Riyadh City until August 25, stands out with three main activities that have caught visitors' attention and enriched their experience.

These activities are part of Aramco's ongoing efforts to boost interaction and engagement with the community through creative and innovative approaches.

The pavilion includes an event titled "Virtual Reality Races on Jeddah Corniche Circuit," one of the main attractions offering visitors a unique experience through competitive races in a virtual environment simulating the famous Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Races are held twice daily, offering participants the chance to win daily prizes. Additionally, weekend races qualify winners for the grand prize provided by Aramco.

The experience not only provides entertainment but also fosters a competitive spirit and encourages technical skills among youth.

Aramco also presents visitors to its pavilion with a virtual experience titled "Aramco Vision," a two-minute virtual journey that takes visitors on a tour through the company's facilities.

It highlights major future projects like NEOM, providing visitors with a comprehensive view of Aramco's ambitious achievements and future ventures.

The third activity is the virtual racing experience at Boulevard Riyadh, which allows visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of racing. The activity offers an immersive experience that enables visitors to test their abilities and skills in racing within a meticulously simulated real-world environment.

Through these activities, Aramco is emphasizing its ongoing commitment to boosting innovation and creativity across various fields, attracting youth to an enjoyable and challenging experience. This helps in strengthening the company's leading position in innovation and technology.



Cards to Consoles: Nintendo Opens First Museum

(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
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Cards to Consoles: Nintendo Opens First Museum

(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Nintendo opened its first museum on Wednesday in a renovated factory in Kyoto, showcasing the long history of the Japanese video game giant from playing cards to "Super Mario.”

The company began life in 1889 producing Japanese playing cards called "hanafuda" as well as Western-style ones. Nintendo launched its first home video-game machines in 1977.

Many exhibits at the museum in Kyoto's Uji city are interactive -- including an area where two people can play Mario and Donkey Kong games together on a giant console.

Other zones focus on Nintendo's vintage products. For example, there is a digital version of an ancient Japanese poetry game, and a workshop for fans to create their own hanafuda cards.

Tickets, priced at 3,300 yen ($22.60) for adults and less for children, are already sold out for October and November, AFP reported.

"Visitors can learn about Nintendo's commitment to manufacturing that places importance on play and originality," Shigeru Miyamoto, the renowned creator of "Super Mario" and other games said in a video in August.

The "Super Mario" games were launched in 1985, two years after the company began selling its classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console.

The museum is part of efforts by Nintendo to broaden its brand exposure, including with a smash-hit animated movie last year featuring the Italian plumber and his colorful crew.

The company has also built a "Super Nintendo World" zone at the Universal Studios Japan theme park, featuring a Mario Kart ride with a real-life Bowser's Castle.

A similar area is set to open at the park's huge Orlando location next year.

Nintendo first announced plans for the museum in 2021.

Kensaku Namera, an analyst at Nomura Securities, told AFP that the museum fits into Nintendo's strategy as a place where "people can interact" with its gaming franchises.

Repurposing an old factory built in 1969, which was once used by Nintendo for producing playing cards and later repairing consoles, is also a canny move, he said.

"It's an effective reuse of assets" by Nintendo, Namera said.