Gamer8: The Land of Heroes has been nothing short of incredible so far. From elite esports tournaments and thrilling music concerts to entertaining activities, immersive attractions, and much more, the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide has provided visitors and fans with world-class experiences at each and every turn.

With the eight-week summer spectacle’s first half now behind us, attentions have turned to what promises to be an unforgettable, drama-filled, action-packed second half – which officially gets underway in the coming days with weekend five of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes.

And what a weekend ahead. Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, the weekend five schedule is nothing short of ‘must attend’. With various things sure to excite and delight people of all ages, Boulevard Riyadh City is the only place to be this weekend. Here are eight things everyone should check out:

StarCraft II

The stage is set for an intergalactic showdown of epic proportions as Gamers8: The Land of Heroes presents the most intense StarCraft II tournament of the century. Running for four days beginning this Thursday, August 3, attendees and audiences alike can expect an unforgettable clash of strategies, lightning-fast reflexes, and masterful tactics as the finest players from across the galaxy converge to battle for global supremacy and their share of the $500,000 prize pool. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void casts players in the role of Hierarch Artanis, leader of the technologically advanced protoss race. The objective? To reunite the protoss factions and defeat the coming darkness before all is lost. Strategy and skill is the formula essential for victory, making Boulevard Riyadh City the epicenter of excitement and entertainment this weekend.

Week 5 Concerts – Cheb Khaled, DJ Snake, Ahmed Saad, Omar Basaad

Famed musical talents have made their way to Gamers8: The Land of Heroes throughout its run and this weekend is no different, with several acclaimed artists set to perform in front of a capacity crowd. These include Algerian Raï singer and songwriter, Cheb Khaled. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians in Raï music history, Cheb Khaled is also one of the best-known Arab singers worldwide whose album sales have surpassed 80 million – making him a certain big hit with audiences this weekend. Also on the weekend bill is French DJ and record producer DJ Snake, famous for 2016 hit ‘Let Me Love You’ with pop hero Justin Bieber. DJ Snake’s 2016 debut album ‘Encore’ topped Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and he has since collaborated with major artists including Lady Gaga and remixed tracks by Kanye West and AlunaGeorge. Egyptian favorite Ahmed Saad – he of ‘Wasa3 Wasa3’ hit song fame – is also on the bill. Then there’s Omar Basaad, who completes the weekend line-up. The Saudi Arabian record producer and DJ has a major following in his homeland and beyond – and is sure to help cap off another unforgettable weekend of mesmerizing performances.

Peaky Blinders

First with ‘Your Portal to the Next World’ and now with ‘The Land of Heroes’, Gamers8 stands proudly as the unrivaled pinnacle of gaming and esports festivals worldwide – and hosting exclusive immersive experiences are a key reason for this. Fortunately for festival-goers this weekend, another new experience awaits with the debut of ‘PEAKY BLINDERS: The Rise’. Crime boss Tommy Shelby is personally inviting all to his family’s Camden warehouse to share an expansion plan that could prove lucrative for everyone. Participants can choose their storyline from the different journeys available with key characters and create their own Peaky Blinders experience. Don’t miss out on a unique immersive experience inspired by the hit British crime drama television series.

Korean Street

Annyeonghaseyo! If that’s a new one for you, then get along to the Korea District and learn how to say some other useful phrases as well as ‘hello’ in Korean. Hangul lessons are available in both spoken and written Korean. Also on offer for visitors to experience more of the magnificent country of Korea are classes on Hanji, the art of folding paper. Munshin, the tattoo shop, offers the coolest of designs, while K-Glam has Korean inspired make up, nail art and hair styles. There’s also Custom Denim, a Swag Shop related to pop culture, and a 360 Cam. And if you’ve ever been to Korea then you’ll know the huge popularity for Norae Bang – literally music room, a private karaoke booth for a small group of your nearest and dearest – and PC Bang – a video gaming room. Both are absolute must do’s. In addition at the Korea District, K-dojeon offers a Ramen food challenge, there’s a K-Mart with a selection of yummy snacks, and Street Exhibit – which comes complete with shadow, upside down and fog effect photos. Kamsahamnida, Korea District! (That’s ‘thank you’).

GameDevZone: Esports 2.0: Body Performance For Gamers

The GameDevZone has welcomed countless guests so far this season whose passion for all things gaming and esports has seen them broaden their knowledge and skillsets significantly through various hands-on courses and activations. This weekend, another will enter the limelight within the Knowledge Gate section as Esports 2:0: Body Performance For Gamers takes place this Saturday between 8-9 pm. The one-hour course is sure to be influential and impactful, empowering joiners to unlock the future of esports by elevating their gameplay, enhancing their health, and dominating the competition through cutting-edge strategies and physical training. Do you want to level up like never before? If yes, make your way to the GameDevZone and make the most of this marvelous opportunity.

MasterClass – Anatomy of a Game Engine

Like always, the GameDev. Lab is another area sure to satisfy gaming and esports lovers this weekend. Why? Because starting this Sunday, the two-day MasterClass – Anatomy of a Game Engine course provides an opportunity to examine the architecture of game engines. In addition, participants will learn all about the game engine interface, explore the nuances of asset management, and gain an understanding of critical optimization techniques. This class isn’t just about learning; it’s about immersion into the heart of game engine construction and gaining hands-on experience that’ll leave you ready to tackle any project. So why not take the first steps towards bringing your own creative ideas to life in the form of engaging games!?

Aramco SIM Arena

Have you ever sat behind the wheel of your car and thought ‘I’d love to be a racing driver, I think I’d be really good’? Well, now is your chance. Because thanks to the incredibly realistic racing cars at the Aramco SIM Arena, all wannabe F1 motorists have the opportunity to pit their driving skills against the likes of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The perfect venue for racing enthusiasts, it is here where you have the power to zoom into a unique session and have your chance to race on our state-of-the-art simulators while partaking in our weekly and highly popular racing tournament. But trust us, it’s a lot harder than it looks. Try not to crash.

Kids Dome

Gamers8 is renowned for family fun, and Kids Dome, which is being supported by the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group as a presenting partner, features well-known international kids’ IPs and performances tailored for children. How would you design your ideal Barbie? And can you knock out the Angry Birds or prove your worth as a renowned swordsman at the VR activation Fruit Ninja? Make sure you check out Kids Dome for all this and much, much more.

Running for the full eight weeks of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes until the end of August, Kids Dome will be open each day at Boulevard Riyadh City at the following times: 5-6.30pm and 7pm-11.30pm.

For further Gamers8 details, including ticket sales, please see all the information available on the event website.