ESMA Game Show Captivates Montpellier: DigixArt Unveils ‘Tides of Tomorrow’ in Highlight Conference
Yesterday’s ESMA Game Show turned the ESMA Montpellier campus into a buzzing epicenter of gaming on Saturday, February 14, offering a free, full-day immersion into video game creation from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Open to everyone—from hardcore players and families to career-curious teens—the event featured tournaments, student playtests, workshops, and a star guest presentation by local studio DigixArt on their upcoming adventure title Tides of Tomorrow.
A Packed Day of Gaming Action Attendees dove into hands-on fun across the campus at 1 Place Niki de Saint Phalle:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Freeplay & Showmatches on Brawlhalla and 2XKO; Continuous student game demos & playtests (action, adventure, RPG projects from end-of-studies) |
| On-site sign-up | Smash Bros tournament (limited spots), with finals on big screen and prizes from Heroes Place Gaming Center |
| 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM | Motion Capture workshops in ESMA’s 600m² studio |
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Level creation workshop: Build a game level in 20 minutes on Unreal Engine |
| 2:00 PM | Keynote: DigixArt presents Tides of Tomorrow – Exclusive conference and Q&A with the Montpellier-based studio’s creators on their narrative adventure game, set for February 24 release |
Student-led animations kept the energy high, with playtests allowing direct feedback to devs on game design, graphics, animation, programming, and sound. Snacks and drinks fueled the festivities in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
Spotlight on DigixArt’s Tides of Tomorrow The 2:00 PM conference stole the show, as DigixArt—known for hits like Road 96—shared insights into their latest project: a choice-driven adventure exploring futuristic tides and tomorrow’s world. Attendees got an up-close look, exchanged with the team, and buzzed about the demo now live on Steam. As a local powerhouse, their presence underscored Montpellier’s growing game dev scene.
École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques (ESMA), ranked among France’s top animation and game design schools (top 20 worldwide per Animation Career Review 2025), used the event to bridge education and industry. Recent Global Game Jam successes at the campus added to the inspiration.
Social media lit up pre- and during-event with teasers from @ecoleesma Instagram and LinkedIn, hyping the “100% immersive” vibe. No official recap yet, but early reactions praised the mix of competition, creation, and pro talks.
Missed it? ESMA’s Open Days continue (next: March 21 in Montpellier), with more webinars on creative careers. For game fans in southern France, this debut Game Show cements ESMA as a must-visit hub for tomorrow’s creators.—yesterday’s Game Show proved it’s not just a school, but a lively hub for the next generation of creators.
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