UK Games Expo 2019

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For the fourth year in a row, I made the trip down to Birmingham, with friends in tow, for UKGE.

Huuuge. 

I would guess only Salute can even hold a candle to the size of this event in the UK for gaming.  UKGE boasts footfall in the tens of thousands over the weekend (21-39,000 in 2018 depending who you count, compared to 9,000+ for Salute in the same year).  The event fills two halls of the Birmingham NEC, along with the Hilton Hotel across the way from it.  As a result there was a lot to see on our one day at the event, and the camera ended up sitting resolutely in the pocket for most of the day.

I know most of my readers are primarily miniatures gamers, so I will make mention of that field first.  The show caters for the Out the Box, complete world already made, skirmish game mostly.  If you have a licensed property for miniatures gaming, or are building your own IP this is the place to be to see the newness.  Games Workshop, Fantasy Flight, Ares Games and many others in attendance, with the likes of all that's new for Warhammer, Star Wars, Film, TV and Video game licences and beyond.

Historical fan?  Well, Warlord Games were there, and Rubicon, showing off new 1/56th scale Panzer IV variants, but beyond that, you'd be pretty much out of luck.  UKGE is not the place to go to pick up boxes of Perry plastics or some additions for your 15mm Marlburian French army, but if you need another 35mm heroic scale Orc or an enormous resin demon, it'll offer you all the choices under the sun.

Also, whether miniatures or board/card gaming, if you want to try before you buy, you couldn't ask for a better event.  Though again for the former, don't expect any huge display games.  Literally every stand will have playtest or demo stations for the games on show, or at the very least someone capable of explaining it to you.

Personally I am at UKGE for this, I was looking for new games and something a bit unusual, to go with my various gaming groups, so the chance to get hands on with games beforehand is great.  Essentially it was a massive shopping experience, in a big relaxed shop, with endless chill-out room space (open play areas and a games library you can borrow more or less anything from, if you've time), and extortionate food prices (£8 for a sandwich, bag of crisps and a coke; thanks NEC!).

This said, we also found an hour to spend in the playtest section, trying games that had not yet reached publication (or even Kickstarter).  It's a nice giveback, and you may hit upon a gem, though looking at some of the prototypes on display you have to wonder if the 'designer' has even paid attention to where gaming has gone in the past thirty or forty years.  We tried a weird computer themed flicking game that looked more like hockey played on a Jackson Pollack painting, and a fun little card game based around a flying in a hang-glider race.

After the main show finished, we went to the Shut Up and Sit Down Podcast for some entertaining game related banter.  The convention has numerous free and paid for seminars and shows, another feature few wargames shows can or will offer, and it makes for a nice break of pace.

'Internet famous' 

Listening to Matt and Quinns discussion a bizarre book of solo imaginary role playing was a particular highlight, as it threw a spotlight on an author who could only be described as deeply, deeply strange.

As for purchases, buoyed up by petrol money from my companions I did pick up several bits and pieces:

Monty's Haul

Only 6 miniatures amongst that lot, but good picks for the price I paid, destined for Star Wars and Dragon Rampant.

As an aside, of sorts, I was pleased to discover after the event that Rebels and Patriots won 'Best Miniatures Game' at the show. 

 

A great endorsement for the rules, not least being at a show mainly concentrated on fantasy and sci-fi miniatures gaming (it's competition being star-ship fighter combat and fantasy viking skirmishing).

In conclusion, another great and greatly worthwhile day out, if you've never tried it before, I would urge you to give it a try; if like me you are underwhelmed by the experience of most wargames shows, this is a revelation.

However, convention funk is still very much a thing....

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