Gaming is one of the rare activities that all walks of life can enjoy, no matter the age, each player finds a purpose and reason to love. In 1958, Physicist William Higinbotham produced the first-ever video game, ‘Tennis for two’. Since that historic moment in gaming evolution, the technology behind the phenomenon never failed to slow down.
According to Statista, the video games industry revenue is said to be US$197.00bn in 2022, with the entire sector being valued at $300 Billion. As we come close to 64 years of astonishing gaming, the superiority of the industry will, rightly continue to rise. In no order, here are 4 of the most influential gaming event occurring in the year 2023:
1. Gamescom
Once again returning, Gamescom is world-renown for being one of the most colossal events of the year. Starting on the 23rd of August, the 5-day exhibition is on record as the largest event for computer and video games. Whether you are in the industry or just a casual visitor, Gamescom is the best way to surround yourself with the newest games, industry experts, retro games, merchandise and so much more. The event is in Cologne, Germany, a stunning 2000-year-old city in the west of the country. Attendances have reached 370,000 in the past, naming Gamescom easily as the biggest video conference on the planet.
2. Blizzcon
Blizzcon is officially coming back in 2023, with specific dates to be released shortly. Hosts, Blizzard Entertainment, use this event to promote their own hugely successful franchises to their thousands of attending fans. Games such as Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, Hearthstone and Diablo. The tight community event attracts astounding numbers, with totals reaching 40,000 attendees. Blizzcon usually is held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, with tickets potentially setting you back $229.
3. E3
Most likely the most recognisable gaming event of the year all around the world, E3 is the hosting ground for many famous and highly anticipated games to be released shortly. The expo does not just focus on video games specifically, as developers use the platform to showcase the latest consoles or technology, especially the two front runners, Xbox and PlayStation. The first E3 event was held in 1995 and is constantly returned year after year, until the global pandemic, back in 2019. A three-day event, E3 is usually held in California at the Los Angeles Convention Center during June.
4. EGX
Premiering on the 12th – 15th of October 2023, ExCeL London welcomes over 80,000 visitors to each event. At the expo you will find, the latest games, stages and panels, EGX live, Cosplay central, Retro Zones and endless more activities. Quadrant2Design, a UK leading ‘modular’ exhibition designer and builder, are no stranger to the captivating venue in the U.K capital. The Operations Director, Ross Pike, comments “The ExCeL is a perfect location to host a brilliant trade show, just like EGX. It sits alongside the Royal Victoria Dock, and it is just stone through away from the infamous central London”. Not only by visiting the expo will you be engulfed by video game heaven, but also the wonderful surrounding of the immersive city; an all-around trip well worth going on.
