The Ghost of Gaming Past: Remembering EGX’s Glory Days
There was a time when EGX was the most exciting date on the UK gaming calendar. For years, it was the place to be. Thousands of gamers would flock to halls buzzing with energy, eager to get their hands on the next big thing. It was a true celebration of gaming, a place where you could play demos of massive AAA titles months before their release, listen to talks from industry legends, and just soak in the community atmosphere. Fans have fond memories of waiting in line to play a new ‘Gears of War’ or being among the first to experience a new ‘Super Mario’ game. It was a special event, a pilgrimage for gamers across the country.
But if you’ve been to EGX recently, you’d be forgiven for not recognizing it. The sprawling halls once filled with unreleased blockbusters have shrunk. The focus has shifted. What was once a pure gaming paradise is now, as many attendees have put it, a shadow of its former self. So, what happened? How did the UK’s premier gaming expo lose its way?
The Beginning of the End: Merging with Comic-Con
One of the most significant changes, and what many see as the final nail in the coffin for the ‘old EGX,’ was its merger with MCM Comic-Con. Instead of being a standalone, four-day gaming behemoth, EGX was relegated to a small, cramped corner of a larger pop culture convention. The identity of the show was lost. What used to be an event for gamers, by gamers, suddenly felt like an afterthought. The retail section and general geek merchandise began to overshadow the gaming content, with some attendees reporting that the gaming portion took up as little as a corner of one hall. This shift left long-time fans feeling like the event had lost its soul.
A Series of Missteps
The decline wasn’t sudden; it was a slow burn fueled by several key decisions. Before the pandemic, the organizers moved the event from Birmingham’s NEC to London. While London is a major hub, the move was a disaster for many. The NEC in Birmingham was a central, easily accessible location for people traveling from all over the UK. The move to London dramatically increased travel and accommodation costs, pricing out many families and day-trippers who had made the annual trip a tradition.
Then came the content problem. The big publishers started pulling back. Where once you could see dozens of upcoming titles from Sony, Xbox, and Nintendo, recent shows have been dominated by indie games and titles that have already been released. At the 2025 event, attendees pointed out there were barely any unreleased major games to play. Big draws like ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ were pulled, replaced by booths for games that had been out for months. The ‘wow’ factor was gone. The reason people paid for tickets and traveled across the country- to play the future of gaming- had vanished.
Is It Just EGX? A Crisis for UK Gaming Events
The struggles of EGX are not happening in a vacuum. The entire UK gaming expo scene seems to be in crisis. Events like Insomnia Gaming Festival have faced similar criticisms, and the indie-focused expo WASD was canceled entirely after becoming financially unsustainable. The pandemic certainly hit the convention scene hard, but the problems run deeper. Rising costs, less demand from big publishers to showcase their games physically, and a failure to listen to community feedback have all created a perfect storm.
Conclusion
The story of EGX is a cautionary tale. It’s a reminder that no event is too big to fail and that losing touch with your core audience can be fatal. While EGX is planned to return to Birmingham in 2025, the question remains: can it ever recapture its former glory? It will take more than just a change of venue. It will require a fundamental rethinking of what a modern gaming expo should be and a renewed commitment to the gamers who made it a success in the first place. For now, fans are left with the memories of what EGX used to be and the hope that, someday, the great British gaming expo will make a true comeback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EGX?
EGX (formerly the Eurogamer Expo) was once the UK’s largest and most popular video game convention, known for showcasing unreleased games from major publishers.
Why is EGX considered to be in decline?
Its decline is attributed to several factors, including its merger with MCM Comic-Con, which diluted its gaming focus; a controversial move from Birmingham to London that increased costs for attendees; and a significant drop in participation from major game publishers, leading to a lack of new and exciting games to play.
What is the main criticism of recent EGX events?
The biggest criticism is that it has lost its identity as a gaming show. Attendees report that it has become a small section within the larger MCM Comic-Con, dominated by merchandise stalls rather than new game demos.
Where was EGX originally held?
For many of its most successful years, EGX was held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, a central location that was convenient for attendees from across the UK.
Is EGX coming back as a standalone event?
EGX is returning to Birmingham in 2025, but it is still in partnership with MCM Comic-Con and not as a standalone event.
Are other UK gaming expos also struggling?
Yes, the decline is not unique to EGX. Other UK gaming events like Insomnia Gaming Festival have faced criticism, and WASD, another popular expo, was canceled in 2024 due to financial issues.