Gaming Highlights

GamersBay 8 is designed to be a comprehensive competition.

Gaming took center stage at GamersBay 8, with electrifying esports tournaments, casual gaming zones, and hands-on experiences with the latest technologies. The competitive scene was particularly thrilling, featuring tournaments for popular titles such as:

• Fortnite: The duos tournament offered a $2,000 grand prize, drawing top players from the Caribbean and beyond.
• NBA 2K24: Basketball enthusiasts competed in intense virtual matches, showcasing their strategic skills.
• FC24: Soccer fans engaged in heated competitions that mirrored the excitement of real-world football.
• Naruto Storm 4: Fans of the anime battled it out in dynamic and fast-paced matches.

The tournaments were a highlight for many attendees, offering both professional and amateur players the chance to shine. Local competitors faced off against international talent, gaining invaluable exposure and experience. The matches were streamed live, allowing a global audience to witness the excitement and passion of Caribbean esports. This live coverage not only entertained viewers but also highlighted the potential of the region to become a significant player in the global gaming landscape.

In addition to competitive gaming, GamersBay 8 provided opportunities for attendees to explore and enjoy gaming in a more casual setting. Free-play zones allowed participants to try out the latest titles and gaming technologies, including VR experiences and indie game showcases. These areas were buzzing with energy, as gamers of all ages came together to share their love for the medium. The focus on inclusivity and accessibility made GamersBay 8 a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their level of expertise.

Sponsors & Vendors

The success of GamersBay 8 was bolstered by the generous support of sponsors and vendors who contributed to the event’s vibrant ecosystem. These partnerships were instrumental in elevating the event’s quality and ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.

Major sponsors included Cayman Health City, Flow, and Cayman Airways, among others. These organizations provided financial support, logistical assistance, and valuable resources that helped bring the event to life. Their involvement demonstrated the growing recognition of esports and gaming as a viable and impactful industry in the Caribbean.

The vendor area was another highlight, featuring a diverse array of booths that showcased gaming peripherals, exclusive merchandise, and unique services. Attendees had the chance to discover new products, interact with brand representatives, and take home one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Local businesses were also prominently featured, emphasizing the event’s commitment to supporting the Cayman Islands’ economy and fostering a sense of community.

The partnerships formed at GamersBay 8 extended beyond the event itself, laying the groundwork for future collaborations that could further enhance the gaming industry in the region. By fostering these relationships, GamersBay 8 highlighted the potential for gaming to drive economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange in the Caribbean.

Looking Ahead at Gamers Bay 9!

With the success of GamersBay 8 still fresh in everyone’s minds, anticipation is already building for GamersBay 9, scheduled for September 27-28, 2025. The upcoming event aims to raise the bar even higher, with plans to expand the tournament lineup, bring in more international talent, and introduce innovative interactive elements. Some of the exciting additions being considered include:

• Expanded VR and AR Experiences: GamersBay 9 plans to showcase cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technologies, offering attendees an even more immersive gaming experience.
• More Competitive Titles: The tournament roster is expected to grow, featuring both classic and emerging games to appeal to a broader audience.
• Interactive Developer Showcases: Indie developers will have the opportunity to present their games, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.
• Enhanced Networking Opportunities: Industry professionals, content creators, and gamers will have more chances to connect and collaborate, fostering a stronger gaming community in the Caribbean.

GamersBay 9 will continue to celebrate the intersection of esports, content creation, and community engagement, solidifying its position as a must-attend event in the gaming calendar. Whether you’re a competitive gamer, a casual player, or simply a fan of the industry, GamersBay 9 promises to deliver an unforgettable experience in the Cayman Islands.

Art of cosplay turning STEM into ‘STEAM’

Cosplayers may not have been out in force at Gamers Bay on Saturday, but there was no missing Windy Girk – real-world name Katherine Cal Afú. She was dressed as a pirate – Nami from the ‘One Piece’ anime series – but this pirate is far removed from those you’d expect to see during Cayman’s annual Pirates Festival – no parrot, no eyepatch, no pistol.

Windy Girk’s Youtube gaming channel has 3.42 million subscribers.

Karrigan Taylor, a rising star in the world of cosplay and modeling and has over 4 million followers across Tik Tok and Instagram.

This is their second time visiting Cayman, which, after three days of exploring the island with the gamrsbay team, they described as “magical”.

“I loved it, everywhere we went,” she said.

As a cosplayer with millions of followers, WindyGirk gets invited to gaming conventions around the world.

“I’ve been to a lot in Latin America, Mexico, Colombia, the US. I’ve been also in Paris, Brazil, Argentina. A lot of conventions,” she said, adding that she’d missed them while COVID prevented large gatherings from occurring, so was delighted that Cayman’s event went ahead this year.

Cosplay, short for ‘costume play’, involves dressing up a character, from, for example, a video game, anime or other cartoons, movie or TV show.

Special Youtuber Guest

Another special guest, Youtuber and gamer Jack Beck, known online as BeckBroJack where his channel has more than 4.4 million followers, says cosplayers like Windy Girk and the many, many others online and at gaming conventions, add an artistic element to the whole gaming genre.

“It’s really cool, it’s integrating art into everything here – turning STEM into STEAM, adding that extra artistic piece,” he said.

While Beck, who plays mostly Minecraft on his channel, hasn’t gotten into cosplay himself, he says he may try it out soon.

Overflow, a Call of Duty master and well-known figure in the gaming community and was a special gust host for the fortnite tournament as well was on hand to sign autographs and take photos.

Some of his YouTube followers were at Gamers Bay this weekend, lining up to have their photos taken with him.

Beck said he hadn’t heard of Gamers Bay when he was first invited as a guest, but “I looked it up and I saw a couple of other YouTubers that have gone here before and it looked like a really awesome event.”

Like everyone else across the globe during the pandemic, Windy Girk and BeckBroJack were pretty much confined to communicating with people over their computers, so when the in-person gaming tournaments restarted, both were more than happy to start travelling overseas again.

“I used to travel quite a bit to different conventions,” Beck said, “so now that everything’s starting to open back up and I was invited here, I was all for it.”