In 2024, ChinaJoy Conference will once again gather huge numbers of video game lovers in Shanghai. It is the largest digital entertainment exhibition in Asia. Every year it attracts thousands of game developers, designers, and gamers from all over the world. If you are interested in gaming and innovations in this field, this is the event for you.
Below, we introduce you to the ChinaJoy Conference: how it came about, announcements from previous years, and what to expect this year. At the end, you can find answers to practical questions: where and when the conference will be held, where to buy tickets, how to get there, and where to stay.
The evolution of ChinaJoy from its origins to the present day
The ChinaJoy Conference, also known as the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, was first held in 2003. Since then, it has become a landmark event in the world of digital entertainment.
In the early 2000s, interest in gaming and digital entertainment grew rapidly in China. That’s why ChinaJoy was created, so that game companies could present their new products and fans could find out more about them.
The first exhibition attracted tens of thousands of visitors, and ChinaJoy has grown more and more popular every year. By 2010, it was already attracting more than a hundred thousand visitors.
In the beginning, ChinaJoy was primarily a Chinese conference. But gradually, foreign companies and sponsors from the USA, Japan, Korea, and Europe began to take part, so the event became international.
At ChinaJoy, companies announce new games and demonstrate modern technologies such as VR and AR. There are also esports tournaments and cosplay shows.
In existence for more than twenty years, ChinaJoy has grown into Asia’s largest gaming expo, attracting hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts every year. It showcases all the new products of the gaming industry and is considered the premier event for gamers in China.
Upcoming events
The 21st annual ChinaJoy Conference will be held in Shanghai from July 26 to 29. As has become the tradition, the exhibition is divided into several parts with different dates:
- Expo for players (July 26–29);
- Expo for industry participants (July 26–28);
- China Digital Entertainment Congress (July 25–27);
- China Game Developers Conference (July 26–27).
ChinaJoy will feature:
- The latest games and products from major companies
- Themed zones: 5G cloud gaming technology, audio publications, designer toys, indie game exhibition
The conference will also feature various events for gamers, such as presentations, autograph sessions, and meet-and-greets with developers and gaming journalists.
High-profile announcements at past conferences
Every year at ChinaJoy, projects are announced that go on to become hits in the gaming industry. Here are some of the most memorable ones:
ChinaJoy 2023 Several awesome games were announced:
- Lost Soul Aside for PlayStation 5;
- Phantom Blade Zero, to be released in 2024;
- The God Slayer is coming to PlayStation 5, but we’ll have to wait until 2027;
- Daba: Land of Water Scar and The Winds Rising were also showcased.
In addition to games, important topics in the gaming industry were discussed at the conference. Developers and experts gathered to talk about the future of gaming.
ChinaJoy 2022 was unusual because it coincided with another wave of COVID-19. Here’s what happened:
- The exhibition was held in a virtual world called MetaCJ. It was like a computer game, where everyone could create their own character and walk around the virtual exhibition;
- To get to MetaCJ, you had to download a special app on your phone or computer;
- Each day, contests were held and prizes awarded to participants.
Despite the virtual format, the exhibition was eventful and interesting for all game lovers.
ChinaJoy 2021 was like a huge party for game lovers in Shanghai. The motto was, “Create Dreams with Technology and Win the Future with Fun.”
- More than five hundred companies that produce games and gaming accessories came together. There were big names there, too: Sony, Ubisoft, and Blizzard;
- Sony brought the new PlayStation 5, as well as the games for it;
- There were different areas: you could watch games in the cloud, listen to music from games, and see games from smaller teams.
All of this could be watched from home via virtual broadcast.
These announcements not only shaped new trends in the industry but also brought their creators profit and popularity. At ChinaJoy, we always expect something new and interesting from leading developers, and every year the event lives up to expectations.
What’s in store for us at the upcoming conference
Here are the major events that await visitors to ChinaJoy 2024:
- Presentations
Major gaming companies Tencent, NetEase, and miHoYo will showcase their latest games for consoles, PC, and mobile devices. The latest achievements in graphics, cloud technology, and other innovations will also be on display.
- Business seminars and lectures
Leading game developers will hold seminars on various topics: new development methods and tools, trends in the industry, and the marketing and monetization of games.
- Tournaments and competitions
There will be esports tournaments in popular disciplines: League of Legends, DOTA 2, and PUBG. There will also be themed contests for game lovers with valuable prizes.
- Virtual reality zones
Special VR and AR zones will allow you to experience innovative virtual and augmented reality games and entertainment from Oculus, HTC, Sony, and others.
- Cosplay show
The annual cosplay show will feature participants showcasing costumes and looks based on characters from games, anime, and movies.
- Company stands
Large companies will present their innovations and developments at their stands, where it will be possible to discuss collaboration and learn about the latest products and technologies.
- Thematic conferences
ChinaJoy 2024 will also comprise:
- China Digital Entertainment Congress (CDEC), a forum dedicated to the development of digital entertainment;
- China Game Developers Conference (CGDC), a conference for game developers to discuss the latest technologies and development methods;
- Indie Zone, a special area for indie developers, where they can present their projects and find potential partners and investors
All in all, there will be plenty to engage gamers and industry professionals alike at ChinaJoy.
Practical information
In this section, you’ll find answers to the main practical questions that will help you prepare for your visit to the exhibition.
When is ChinaJoy?
July 26 through July 29, 2024.
Where will ChinaJoy be held?
The exhibition will be hosted by the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), which is located in Pudong District.
Address: Shanghai Exhibition Center (SEC), 1000 Yan’an Middle Road.
Where to buy tickets
Tickets for ChinaJoy can be purchased at the event’s official website. It’s best to buy tickets in advance, as they may run out long before the conference starts.
For more information or to ask the organizers questions, please email:
How to get to the conference
ChinaJoy takes place in Shanghai, the largest city in China. You can get to Shanghai by airplane. Pudong International Airport receives flights from all over the world. The city’s highly advanced transport system provides easy access to the conference venue.
To get to the exhibition center from the airport, you can take a cab or go by metro, which is the fastest option. Metro Line 2 connects Pudong Airport to the city center and passes through Pudong District, where the SNIEC is located. The nearest metro station to the exhibition center is Longyang Road.
Where to book a hotel
There are plenty of hotels in Shanghai to suit every taste and budget. You can book a hotel in Pudong through the online platforms Booking.com or Airbnb.
It is better to choose hotels nearby to save travel time. For example, the Kerry Hotel is located near the ChinaJoy venue.
A couple more tips
Plan your itinerary in advance and check the schedule of events, so you don’t miss presentations and workshops that interest you. The conference program can be viewed on the official ChinaJoy website.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as the exhibition covers a large area. You’ll have to walk a lot.
ChinaJoy 2024 promises to be one of the most significant events in the world of digital entertainment. If you want to keep up to date with all the latest gaming industry news, meet industry leaders, and just have a good time, then don’t miss this event.
