A host of gaming and esports events will descend on Georgia on December 11-17, 2023.

“Gaming is quietly the largest segment of the $2 trillion global entertainment industry,” explained Skillshot Media’s CEO, Todd Harris. “Games Week Georgia celebrates the gaming and esports industry, bringing together gaming leaders and experts from around the world alongside a week of consumer events, culminating in one of North America’s largest gaming festivals — DreamHack Atlanta.”

The festivities will get started at the Plaza Theater on December 11th for a special screening of a film (TBA) followed by a gaming panel hosted by industry leaders in film, gaming, and music. On December 13th, GirlGamer Atlantawill begin its women-only esports tournaments to determine which of the USA teams will be going to the GirlGamer World Finals later this year. Then, Georgia’s annual Esports Summit (December 14th) will discuss the thriving local gaming industry’s current state and its future. Also on that day is the VIP Creative Industry Mixer where some of the best and brightest in film, gaming, and music will join together to discuss the ever-changing digital entertainment landscape. The week will reach its finale when DreamHack Atlanta, the ultimate gaming experience, kicks off on December 15th. DreamHack features everything gaming as well as cosplay and live music.

“Hosting DreamHack in Atlanta isn’t just about creating an event for the local games community, it’s also about building and showcasing the Georgia games industry,” said DreamHack’s Senior Director of the Americas, Guy Blomberg. “We want DreamHack and Georgia Games Week to be an important beat on the national and global game industry calendar. There’s so much talent and opportunity here, and we want to make sure everyone knows about it.”

As esports continue their upward trend, Georgia is quickly gaining momentum to become America’s esports capital, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has attributed $550 million and north of 12,000 jobs to the local digital entertainment industry.

“A lot of people don’t realize that digital entertainment — video gaming more specifically — makes more money than the film industry globally,” explained the GDEcD’s Senior Industry Manager, Asante Bradford. “Here in Georgia we have worked hard to cultivate the gaming industry, and I am confident saying that it will grow and thrive exponentially as this industry continues to flourish in our state.”

This cultivation is apparent, Director of the Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo (SIEGE) Andrew Greenberg notes, in the results of the Entertainment Investment Act. “Thanks to the Entertainment Investment Act, we have gone from five game studios to more than 160, with over 20 colleges in the state offering game development programs. This has become a major Georgia industry, as well as one of our most popular social pastimes. Bringing all these forces together creates a week of great events not to be missed.”