UK gaming show EGX 'on international map' as place to announce products

Traditionally gaming companies use global events like E3 in LA and GamesCom in Cologne to make big announcements about upcoming products.

But the organiser of EGX, Rupert Loman, says UK gamers won't be left behind in future.

He says his plan is for the event to grow and rival those expos.

"EGX has started having global first-plays. We have the first hands on with Tom Clancy's The Division this year, for example," he says.

"So we're seeing it happen already but I think over time EGX will be seen as a place where you can announce a product.

"The UK's been lacking a major show for a long, long time and now it's on the international map."

For the first time in its eight year history EGX, formerly known as the Eurogamer Expo, is being held in Birmingham.

Over the next four days more than 80,000 gamers will be heading to the NEC Arena.

It's been taken over by some of the biggest gaming companies in the world with giant HD screens and fluorescent lighting in tow.

Famous gaming characters strut their stuff in every corner of the massive hall.

In total there are more than 1,000 TV screens with more than 200 playable games. Not all of them have people queuing to play though.

There's also a dedicated area for board game fans, cosplay competitions, a careers fair and an eSports tournament with a prize pot of around £70,000.

"We started EGX because there was no major show in the UK," says Rupert.

"People want to see what's coming next, they want to get hands on with all this great technology and they want to find out about the industry and how games are made.

"As it's grown it's been fantastic to have a place where UK gamers can have a place to experience games in the way that people in other countries do."

In the hall footage plays showing assassins speeding around London and Stormtroopers having a running gun battle.

The excitement among those who managed to get tickets to the event is obvious. There are smiling faces, animated conversations and selfies being taken everywhere you look.

Within minutes of the doors opening large queues were forming at the stands of some of the big developers and publishers.

Nathan from Stevenage, 20, and his mate George, also 20, waited patiently to try out Star Wars: Battlefront.

Nathan says it's just part of the experience, explaining: "If you're not prepared to queue then there's no point being here.

"It's nice to know that you're one of the first to play a game."

And being one of the first in the UK to try some of these titles out is one of the main attractions for those who've made the trip.

Games like Battlefront and Assassin's Creed: Syndicate are here to be played weeks before they go on sale.

George tells us it helps him decide whether or not he will spend his hard earned cash on them.

For him, it's like being part of an exclusive club.

"It's different, no-one else can do it [play the games] apart from the other people here. It's fun and a good experience."

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