On November 3 and 4, 2024, the joint festival of Asian culture Hinode and the console gaming festival CGF: Console Gaming Festival took place in Moscow on the Main Stage.
We tell you what fans of the East and digital entertainment enjoyed this year, and share an exclusive recommendation from Yasha Khaddaj, the founder of the Achivka company, about which games are definitely worth playing.
Hinode: a festival where anime and video game characters come to life
Cosplay is an important part of the Hinode Festival’s DNA. It all started with the desire in 2011 to bring Russian cosplayers to the global competition World Cosplay Summit, and since then the festival has grown into the most recognizable celebration of Japanese culture in Russia. Over the years of its existence, it has changed many locations and introduced the public to dozens of unique authors and artists from Japan. And although after a hiatus Hinode expanded the theme into a festival of Asian culture in general, its Japanese roots are still palpable.
Even in the new format of the Asian cultural festival, costume performances and solo catwalk shows in the images of characters from anime, video games and pop culture remain an important part of the program. There are even special photo zones for participants, where they can take spectacular photos under professional lighting.
Particularly worth mentioning is the Big Size Defile event – a group cosplay competition, where participants not only demonstrate bright and detailed images, but also strive to attract the attention of viewers and jury through dance elements and musical accompaniment. A kaleidoscope of images and scenes unfolds on stage: Hades, Genshin Impact, Naruto, “My Deer Friend, Nokotan” (Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan) – what happened on stage.
Those who prefer quieter entertainment will enjoy a separate floor, where, away from the hustle and bustle of the stage, there are rooms for master classes on drawing manga in four frames and writing your name in hieroglyphs, tables with themed board games such as Go and Mahjong, as well as several cozy corners with original works and paraphernalia from the main hall.
Do you watch anime?
Everyone plays with Achivka! On CGF
In addition to the well-known Hinode festival, the parallel organization of CGF: Console Gaming Festival, an initiative of the Achivka company, became intriguing.
The main focus of the event is a cross-section of the gaming industry in all its diversity, open to everyone. Once in the center of the Main Stage, columns of video game banners, bright screens and cozy footstools appear before your eyes.
The atmosphere makes you feel like you are visiting a friend who has all kinds of consoles and games at home. Hot new items like Silent Hill 2 Remake and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, well-known hits GTA V and Skyrim, but also games for the whole group, such as Super Mario Party Jamboree and Just Dance – and this is just part of a selection of 52 titles from a dozen different genres that can captivate players with a wide variety of preferences.
Something funny: it is worth noting the “Zoomer” wall, where there was room for it Roblox, Fortnite and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach is a favorite among children around the world.
Overall, CGF complemented Hinode perfectly, demonstrating the appeal of video games to players of different ages and tastes. Additionally, many gaming consoles and a significant portion of established video game series come from Japan, allowing this aspect of the culture to be explored at the Hinode Festival, along with manga and anime character cosplay, street food, board games and much more.
It’s just a shame that the date of the festival did not coincide with the start of sales of the PlayStation 5 Pro. This could be a great magnet for visitors who want to be among the first to experience the capabilities of Sony’s updated high-performance console, which has created a strong response online.
Yasha Haddaji’s advice: the best games to try now
During a break from the organizational bustle, we managed to talk a little with Yasha Haddaji, the founder of the Achivka company.
After Nintendo left Russia in May 2023, the former director of the Russian division set the goal of maintaining the presence of international gaming brands in our market. Having managed to set up the logistics for the supply of discs and consoles from scratch during the crisis, Achivka proceeded to organize perhaps the largest console gaming festival in recent years.
We were curious to know which games Yasha considers to be this year’s favorites. They became a dark space action movie Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and platform game for all ages Astrobot. These are very different games, but you cannot separate yourself from them.
Yasha separately mentioned that the Russian company Saber Interactive from St. Petersburg is behind the success of Space Marine 2. And you only have to play Astro Bot once to understand why it’s one of the most important PlayStation 5 games on the current generation of consoles.
Did Yasha Haddaji recommend some good games?
Meet the royal dumpling
Wandering between master classes on drawing manga, video game stands and bright performances on the main stage from the morning onwards, you will inevitably get hungry. As you explore the stalls selling the usual ramen, kimchi and bubble tea, your gaze lingers on an unusual steamed cake called pyan-se.
Pyang-se was invented on Sakhalin in the mid-1980s, inspired by the ancient Korean recipe for ‘royal’ dumplings, or, as it is also called, ‘royal dumplings’. Unlike many types of street food, it is not fried in oil, but steamed, which keeps the filling juicy but does not allow the juice to spread in all directions. Despite the simple ingredients, the taste and aroma of this dish is simply fantastic. Simply the best snack choice to complement your experience with oriental cultures.
We look forward to the combined Hinode and CGF festival returning to Moscow next year. After all, where else can you immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Asian street food, participate in games, enjoy colorful costume shows and discover new facets of Eastern cultures in one place?
I would also like to see the Authors’ Alley get a more prominent place at the festival, and not get lost behind tents with thematic paraphernalia. For example, BUBBLE’s Lynx comic, inspired by the iconic Japanese show Kamen Rider, would fit right into the spirit of the festival and offer a unique perspective on the intersection of cultures.
Source: VG Times
Christina Moncayo is a contributing writer for “Social Bites”. Her focus is on the gaming industry and she provides in-depth coverage of the latest news and trends in the world of gaming.