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On April 24 and 25, 2026, Pula was one of the most important regional gathering places for the gaming, esports, STEM and pop culture communities. IN Croatian Veterans' Home it was held Fantastic Gaming Show 2026, a two-day festival that brought together students, professors, esports competitors, game developers, exhibitors, cosplay participants, influencers, sponsors and numerous visitors.
The team also visited the festival Gamers Life from Montenegro, which they did Milan Lalić, Dušan Vukčević and Slaviša JovanovićThe GL team was hosted in Pula by representatives of the Fantastic team, Ivan Tadic i Melita Nikolčić, with which the important regional cooperation started through connecting the gaming and esports communities of Montenegro and Croatia continues.
For Gamers Life, going to Pula was not just a visit to a festival, but an opportunity to see firsthand an event that combines school esports, education, STEM, the gaming industry, pop culture and the local community in Croatia.
Gamers Life booth and presentation of GL stories from Montenegro
Of particular importance to our team was the fact that Gamers Life had its own booth at the Fantastic Gaming Show. Through this space, visitors could learn about the work of Gamers Life, the NGO "Life of Gamers", Mimoza Game Fest and the activities we develop in Montenegro.
At the GL stand, we spoke with visitors, participants, young people, community representatives and people who recognized themselves in our idea - that gaming is not only entertainment, but also a space for education, competition, creativity, socializing and regional connection.
During the festival we also shared merch gifts from the GL brand, as a small sign of attention to the participants and visitors who supported our story. For us, this was not just brand promotion, but an opportunity to present what we are building in Montenegro through esports, STEM, workshops, festivals and work with young people.
Milan Lalić on a panel about the development of a school esports league
One of the important segments of the festival were panel discussions, and a special place was given to the panel:
"Development of the School Esports League: From a National System to an International Competition"
He participated in this panel Milan Lalic, director of Gamers Life (NGO "Life of Gamers"), as an esports expert with experience in tournament organization, competition administration, refereeing, coaching and working with young people.
The panel raised important questions: how to work with young people through esports, how important structured school competitions are and what international cooperation can bring to the region.
From Gamers Life's point of view, esports has real potential only when it gets a system. This means clear rules, mentors, schools, organizers, judges and a healthy competition framework. Then gaming stops being just informal gaming and becomes a space where young people develop teamwork, communication, discipline, responsibility and digital skills.
CSEL – Croatian School Esports League as an example for the region
One of the central parts of the Fantastic Gaming Show was CSEL – Croatian School Esport League, respectively Croatian School Esports League. Through this format, primary and secondary school students compete in an organized school esports system, with clear rules and the support of the school community.
At the festival, CSEL had a special place through the competition program, and it stood out among the games ValorantThe announcement of the winners of the elementary and high school esports leagues showed that school esports in Croatia is gaining a serious organizational framework.
For Gamers Life, this is one of the most important impressions from Pula. CSEL shows that esports can be useful and educational when developed through the system, schools and responsible work with young people. It is a model from which the region can learn a lot, including Montenegro.
A festival that combined esports, education, creativity and fun
The Fantastic Gaming Show was not just a competitive event. During two days, visitors had the opportunity to follow a rich program that included panels, giveaway activities, indie game presentations, expo zone, cosplay, influencers, social games, retro gaming, sim racing, 3D printing, Jackbox Party, Just Dance, Brawl Stars and entertainment program.
In the indie section, game developers and studios presented themselves, including: Gravity Works, Eclipsa Games, Downtown Game Studio, Slimy Studio, as well as projects like Menace Shrimp i Gig Crawler. This segment brought visitors closer to the creative process of creating games and showed that the gaming industry does not belong only to large companies, but also to smaller teams, authors and young creatives.
The Expo zone brought additional breadth to the festival. Among the exhibitors were Magic Card, with board games, TCG titles and hobby program, Retro Info, who presented retro games and IT heritage, Loot Boxes, with geek and gaming products, as well as local exhibitors like Dargura i OPG Ljutistra.
Special energy was given to the festival by cosplay participants, influencers and numerous visitors who during both days created the atmosphere of a real regional gaming gathering.
Sim racing, 3D printing virtual zone
The festival also had a special sim racing zone, where visitors could try a driving simulator supported by the Logitech program. This segment attracted fans of virtual racing and showed how important sim racing is becoming a part of the modern gaming scene.
It was also presented 3D printing zone, as part of the festival's technological and creative program. Through 3D printing, modeling and hands-on demonstrations, visitors were able to see how modern technology is used to create physical objects and develop creative ideas.
Support for local producers: Dargur and OPG Ljutistra
In addition to gaming, esports and technological content, the Fantastic Gaming Show also showed the importance of supporting local producers. The organizers from the Fantastic team also gave space to local brands from Istria, which further connected the gaming community with the local economy, creative people and authentic products.
Among the exhibitors was Dargur, a local craft brand from Šišan, a place about 10 kilometers from Pula. According to the information he provided us Diego Dobran, the founder and head brewer of Dargur, the name "Dargur" has no special etymological meaning, but is an invented name that has become part of the brand's identity. Their story is based on locally grown barley from their own OPG, which is combined with European and American hops, along with careful harmonizing of water and yeast.
He also had his place at the festival OPG Ljutistra from Pula, a manufacturer of hot sauces. Their special attention was drawn to BARBA-Q hot sauce, winner of international recognition Great Taste 2025 – 1 StarOther products could also be seen at the stand, such as Head, Barba-Q i Space fireplace, which brought visitors an authentic Istrian gastronomic experience.
Why is this visit important for Gamers Life?
For Gamers Life, Fantastic Gaming Show 2026 was much more than hosting. It was a continuation of regional cooperation after the successfully held Mimoza Game Fest, an opportunity to exchange experiences and confirmation that the gaming scene in the region has enormous potential.
Through participation in the panel, presence at the GL stand, distribution of merch gifts, conversations with visitors and support of the festival program, Gamers Life presented its work and vision from Montenegro. Our idea remains the same: gaming should be developed as a space for education, healthy competition, creativity, socializing and connecting young people.
The Fantastic Gaming Show showed what an event that successfully brings together schools, esports, STEM, developers, exhibitors, the local community and an entertainment program looks like. Such models are important for the entire region, because they show that gaming can have serious social, educational and cultural value.
