The UK retail giant, GAME, has announced a new consumer show for video games. The three day show, entitled “Gamefest”, will take place between the 16th and 18th of September this year, pre-dating the Eurogamer Expo by a week.
GAME have promised that the show is not a money making venture, it is aimed at getting product in front of consumers as early as possible. With a more central location at the NEC in Birmingham and, we assume, the backing of all major publishers who will already have deep-set relationships with GAME, this could be quite a show.
We’re already making arrangements for the Eurogamer Expo this year but we have to say, a major UK show that isn’t run by – and largely for – a competing media outlet has the potential to be so much more useful to us as reporters. Whether it gains traction with consumers is going to be a matter of great interest.
Source: CVG
jayjay119
Hmm Birmingham isn’t too far from me, If its an open event I may pop along!
3shirts
I was thinking the same. It’s only a short hop up the M1/M6 for me.
Mentality
M62, M6, M42, A45 and I’m there, a serious consideration for me. Always wanted to go to an expo but they are usually out of the country. I’m gonna look into this.
cam the man
About 6 to 7 hours for me, but with the British traffic it’ll be more like 8.
Think I may give it a miss.
Mentality
They need to look at the name though – http://www.microsoftgamefest.com/ Microsoft is having a conference of the same name and its going to Chelsea on the 14th and 15 of July :S
gamerman
Game have used gamefest for past something years with internal events, past three Microsoft have helped pay for. i think there was another gamefest as well last year by another party. in all, maybe they all need to think of a new name
SlapnutzUK
Time to make a consumer show but not enough sense to come up with a decent trade in / pre-owned pricing structure?
Foxhound_Solid
90 – 120 mins in my PocketRocket, I would defintely give this a go. Although, for a second I thought you meant new show as in someone was going to wear the ‘Game Masters Monicle’ and give the show of shows a new lease of life!
theberzerka
If only that was true. With the tips section at the end.
Amphlett
“Press up, down, left, left and fire to get the red outfit.”
Those tips were cool… in their day.
cc_star
Yey, something in the middle of the country & incredibly easy to get to that’s gaming related. ZOMG with a side order of Awesomesauce
jayjay119
We should organise a TSA member outing lol.
bunimomike
Tuffcub did that years ago. ;-)
cam the man
Not central to me, nearly 200 miles away. Even more if you live in Scotland.
hazelam
don’t you get the edinborough games festival?
Carl
Yup. Good to see something in the middle of the country instead of sodding London for once. Might have to go to this
Huddy
With this and the interest of PAX coming over to the UK, us gamers could finally be getting some decent events to attend.
Huddy
I know Game/EB used to host a 2-3 day annual conference for its retail employees along these lines, I imagine they have decided to open that up to the public.
gamerman
its going to follow directly after employees show
Gamoc
Ohoh, I could actually go to this. I’d imagine Birmingham isn’t nearly as expensive as London.
Amphlett
I’m guessing that due to the content of some games that this event will be strictly 18+. Anyone think it might be open to all ages?
halbpro
They’ll probably do what Eurogamer do and section off a chunk of the space with bouncers.
deadwelsh
Sounds like a large car boot sale for pre-owned games to me
Smallville2106
Birmingham would be great. I’d def be going.