As of Saturday, 18 November, gaming enthusiasts at Kinepolis Bruges will be able to play on the big screen. This concept is also to be introduced in the other Kinepolis complexes in 2007.
With this move, Kinepolis is taking its first steps in the world of interactive entertainment.
Kinepolis' most recent complex in Bruges will shortly be offering gaming enthusiasts the chance to game on the big screen on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The pilot project, known as XL Gaming, is to be launched on Saturday, 18 November. Early in 2007 people will also be able to game in the other Kinepolis cinemas in Belgium.
Many of the cinema-goers welcomed by Kinepolis Belgium (10 million in 2005) are also entertainment and gaming enthusiasts. Gaming currently appears to be the fastest-growing industry in the entertainment sector. Kinepolis is now planning to combine cinema and gaming in a unique and revolutionary concept.
Gaming in the cinema is being made public for the first time. The giant screen and the optimal technical facilities will give gaming enthusiasts the feeling that they really are “in the game”, making it all the more exciting to play.
XL Gaming is being launched at Kinepolis Bruges, Kinepolis' newest complex (opened in July), which boasts a number of pioneering innovations and forms a conceptual reference for the other Kinepolis complexes and for the international cinema market in general. The most striking elements here are the opening of the foyer, the seat booking facilities, the ticket pricing and checking system and the extensive digitalisation of film, information and communication channels. From 18 November, this list will also include XL Gaming.
XL Gaming is the latest digital cinema application, based on the revolutionary DLP-Cinema ® technology. Kinepolis Group has been a pioneer of digital cinema in Europe for many years now. In July, Kinepolis concluded an agreement with Barco and Technicolor Digital Cinema to digitalise all their cinema complexes in Belgium by the end of 2007 (131 auditoriums). Thanks to the widespread digitalisation of Kinepolis cinemas, Kinepolis is developing further ‘alternative content’ in conjunction with Barco and Technicolor. In addition to digital full-length films, cinema-goers can now also experience more and more alternative content in digital format, such as prestigious events, television series, live concerts and sports competitions - and now XL Gaming, too.
As well as films, Kinepolis also offers entertainment, including gaming in general, and XL Gaming in particular. The new concept gives games distributors the opportunity to launch new games on the big screen, organise exclusive previews or arrange superb games events in a cinema environment.
Practical details
You book a gaming room (one of the digital rooms) in advance by e-mail ( xlgamingbrugge@kinepolis.com ) or through reception on a Wednesday or a Saturday afternoon (from 12.30 pm to 7.30 pm). For this, you pay EUR 15 per half an hour, irrespective of the number of players taking part in the game. You can bring your own game with you, or opt for one of the PS 2- games provided by Kinepolis and / or game distributors. Upon arrival, you receive the number of consoles booked and off you go to the gaming room. Depending on the game chosen, you can play alone or with friends. Gaming becomes a social activity - going to the cinema with a couple of friends to play on the big screen.
More information on www.kinepolis.com/xlgaming
