EGX and The Death of the UK Gaming Expo

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The UK used to have a thriving video game expo scene, with events like Insomnia Gaming Festival, WASD, and EGX. Unfortunately, those shows have all closed down over time.

Several gaming festivals have failed recently – Insomnia Gaming Festival is struggling to recover, WASD has closed, and EGX has been reduced to a small, unremarkable part of the larger MCM Comic Con. I went to EGX this weekend, and unfortunately, it doesn’t seem worth continuing in its current state.

EGX’s disappearance marks the death of the UK gaming expo circuit.

UK Gamers Are Left to Dream(Hack)

DreamHack is coming back to the United Kingdom after a decade, which is great news for gamers there. While smaller, community-run events like EPIC.LAN have been working hard to keep the scene alive, many of the biggest gaming expos have disappeared completely.

Man, it was a shock when Insomnia Gaming Festival, after running for 25 years, just… stopped. Apparently, it was all down to money problems caused by the pandemic. They’re trying to bring it back in 2025, but honestly, things aren’t looking promising right now. It’s a real bummer as a long-time attendee.

Sadly, the WASD showcase, a smaller, beloved gaming event in London, was cancelled in 2024 when its organizers went out of business.

Now, I’m sad to report that EGX is done and dusted.

Farewell, EGX

EGX, previously called the Eurogamer Expo, used to be the biggest and most celebrated gaming event in the UK, attracting attention from around the world and showcasing leading game developers and publishers.

EGX struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it appeared to be recovering in the following years. Unfortunately, that progress has been lost, and EGX is now a much smaller, almost unnoticeable part of the larger MCM Comic Con.

I went to EGX this year, likely for the last time, and was really disappointed. It was hard to find any signs that it was even happening – there wasn’t much EGX branding around. Mostly, there were a few independent games and a small LAN area with a handful of computers, but no major game companies, exclusive demos, or interesting gaming events.

EGX and MCM teamed up in 2024, though they still held separate showcases. EGX maintained its own branding and identity at the time. However, this year, EGX has largely faded from view, leaving MCM as the main event – though it’s facing its own challenges.

Walking through MCM, I saw rows and rows of stalls selling all sorts of anime merchandise – things like body pillow covers, surprise bags, robotic tails, AI art, and tons of plastic toys. While there were many costumes and event staff, I didn’t really connect with anyone; it seemed like the gaming community hadn’t turned out for EGX, or at least there wasn’t much of a presence.

Barely an Expo

The publicists promoting the event only offered me roles in film and television. Even though prominent gaming voice actors like Troy Baker, Ben Starr, Chris Judge, Doug Cockle, Neil Newbon, and Elias Toufexis were there, I didn’t get any opportunities related to gaming.

I specifically asked the staff at the welcome area to connect me with someone who could help, but an employee’s messenger just told me they were too busy. The frustrating part was that the manager I was trying to reach was standing right there, seemingly doing nothing.

There weren’t any games to play, major companies showcasing their products, or interactive experiences at the event. I ended up just walking around looking at the merchandise, but honestly, it didn’t really capture my interest.

Around six people would gather by the side panels whenever someone was performing, but security seemed relaxed and wasn’t actively monitoring the event. The food court was consistently the most crowded area.

It looks like EGX might not happen at all next year, and while MCM London will probably continue, it’s become much smaller and less impressive. Now, everyone is focused on Gamescom, which is an amazing event that just keeps getting bigger. I’ve been to Gamescom twice and can confidently say it’s the best gaming event in the world – and luckily for me, it’s easy to get to!

Gamers can still experience events like Summer Game Fest, PAX, DreamHack, and the Tokyo Game Show, as well as smaller, local events around the world. However, if you’re looking for a gaming expo specifically in the UK, you’ll have to travel to another country to attend one.

Do you think the UK could be a stronger player in the gaming industry? Share your thoughts on the TopMob Discord server!

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2025-10-26 16:19