London is an international centre for finance, technology and banking, so it’s perhaps no surprise that the city has also become a thriving base for game development.
The online gaming market is relatively new compared to others, but London has quickly cemented itself as a global powerhouse for game development and innovation. As a result, the capitalis home to some of the biggest and best gaming companies on the market today, and it also hosts a range of conferences and exhibitions to help the industry move forward.
If you’re considering travelling to London in the latter part of 2023 or early next year, whether to exhibit or attend a conference, here are the gaming exhibitions you need to know about.
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ICE London
ICE London is an annual exhibition of the latest gaming technology and innovations, where members of the industry travel from around the world to share their latest creations. The 2023 conference welcomed more than 40000 international visitors, who were treated to exhibitions from 650 game developers and industry thought leaders across four days. In 2024, the event looks even more engaging and dynamic, with cutting-edge new games and tech set to be released. Solutions like Reel King Megaways have added features where any additional reel turns yellow, thanks to the innovations exhibited at ICE London in the past, so it’s a must-visit for any gaming professionals or enthusiasts.
London Games Festival
Hosted by Games London, an organisation dedicated to helping the UK’s capital become the global gaming centre, London Games Festival is an in-person and online conference that features some of the biggest names in the gaming community. The 2023 event had more than 58,000 in-person attendees from around the world, as well as many online visitors who explored the virtual conferences and resources available during and after the conference. Throughout the year, Games London provides regular support and advice to up-and-coming game developers and tech companies, so this event is well-worth supporting and can be a great way to stay ahead of the latest developments in this rapidly-evolving industry.
EGX
In October of 2023, EGX returns to London at the ExCel arena to showcase a range of incredible up-and-coming games and developers. The event is popular with game fans as well as industry insiders, making it an ideal opportunity for anyone who wants to exhibit and interact with game players as well as those who work in the market. Previously called Eurogamer Expo, the event is hosted every year in both Germany and the UK and attracts visitors of all ages and gaming abilities. It’s a fun event that can be a great chance for companies to share early releases of new games and tech and generate hype. There are many exhibitions and hands-on demos, and it’s a particular favourite of gamers who are new to gaming events, as it is a fun place to spend time and get the most from your gaming expo experience.
Now Play This
For something a little bit different, Now Play This is a unique festival of independent and experimental games. The event, hosted at Somerset House, will be returning in 2024 after a successful run this year, with attendees visiting from around the world to hear talks and see unique displays. Every year the festival has a theme, and in 2023 it was playful art and love. Exhibitions and talks focused on the relationships between characters and how game design, dialogue and artwork can reflect these and help players to immerse themselves in the world and actually start to feel love for the characters they play. This quirky festival features a wide range of independent developers and freelance game creators, so it’s perfect for smaller companies or those who want to get in at the beginning of new trends that aren’t being followed by larger organisations. This year, the heart of the festival was an art installation called Cushion Commons, created by artist and professor Valentina Karga, alongside a group of her students from the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg. The piece was a large pile of handcrafted cushions made from recycled materials and natural dyes that were there for players to relax on during the festival.
A Quick Round-Up
Over recent years, the UK has become an international gaming hub, and London is at the heart of it. So, if you’re considering travelling to the UK to immerse yourself in the latest gaming technology and network with some of the top minds in the industry, then London is the city to visit. These gaming exhibitions are all vital elements of the gaming calendar over the next few months, so they’re worth booking now if you want to make the most of them. As the market continues to evolve, new events might be added to the calendar, but these are some of the biggest and best that need to be on your radar, if they’re not already. Whatever your specific niche or area of expertise, London has a gaming conference to suit your needs, so start booking your next trip today- if you haven’t already!
