• The event will analyze how gaming is revolutionizing physical activity
- The Universitat Politècnica de València is hosting an event this afternoon aimed primarily at professionals in sports, health, technological innovation, and eSports
The event «Active gaming in physical activity,» organized by the Chair of Innovation in eSports and Active Gaming of the València City Council, will be held this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at the Universitat Politècnica de València to showcase «how technology and gaming are revolutionizing physical activity, offering new opportunities for well-being and sports performance.»
This event, driven by València Innovation Capital and the Universitat Politècnica de València, with the collaboration of the Valencian Association of Extended Reality (AVRE), is aimed at professionals in sports, health, technological innovation, and eSports, primarily; although anyone interested in learning more about the impact of Active Gaming can also attend.
The councilor for Innovation, Tourism, and Investment Attraction, Paula Llobet, explained that «the City Council has been committed to this sector from the beginning, and the creation of the aforementioned chair has been one of the steps we have taken to support it.» «There had never been such a large public-private collaboration in this area after many years of work, where all stakeholders are represented, as is the case with other industries,» she added.
Three individuals «with extensive experience» in gaming applied to physical activity will participate in this afternoon’s event, such as Francisco de Asís Martínez Manchón, a professor and researcher at the Catholic University of València; Vanessa Zorrilla, an Innovation agent at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche; and Jaime Guixeres Provinciale, CIO at LabLENI of the Universitat Politècnica de València.
The Chair
In April of last year, the City Council of València, through València Innovation Capital, and the Universitat Politècnica de València, presented the Chair of Innovation in ESports and Active Gaming within the framework of the Valencia Game City initiative, with which the council sought to strengthen the powerful local industry of video games and eSports, attract talent, companies, and international investments.
For the creation of this chair, sim racing and active gaming were chosen as the main areas of action because both are directly related to sports and promote well-being and health. The former are virtual car racing competitions and are a sector with significant potential for technological research.
On the other hand, active gaming combines video games with physical activity; in other words, it gamifies sports practice. It is a sector that is still in its early stages but has the potential to become a significant business avenue.
Since its creation, the Chair has been carrying out multiple activities, such as training in eSports and active gaming; the delivery of the first edition of the Awards for the Best Bachelor’s and Master’s Theses in the field, aiming to promote research; and the organization of the first edition of the Active Gaming UPV Tournament, where conventional sports and eSports come together in the same competition. Supported by València Innovation Capital and Valencia Game City, it has included an adapted sports category.
