This weekend, 3^rd-5^th June, gamers will be converging on Birmingham for a three days of fun and games for the UK Games Expo (sometimes known as UKGE, or simply Expo).  The event is focussed on gamers playing games and includes Euro Games as well as role playing games, miniatures games, and war games.  In addition to tournaments there is lots of “open gaming” space and demonstration events for new designs.  For the little people there is the “Family Zone” with activities specially designed for kids, and for bigger people there is a trade fair with all the latest games games and seminars presented by industry experts, panels and celebrity guests.

– Image from ukgamesexpo.co.uk

This is the tenth year of Expo and the event keeps growing and growing, so much so that this year, the event will be spread across two venues, the the NEC Hilton Metropole (comprising organised play and evening gaming) and Hall One of the NEC (trade, open gaming and the Bring and Buy).  Since the focus is on playing rather than marketing, in general, there are fewer new releases than at some of the other conventions.  One of the highlights of the event this year though will be the release of Tony Boydell‘s Guilds of London which had been planned for Essen last year, but was sadly delayed.  Essen’s loss is Expo’s gain however, and everyone is looking forward to seeing it at last.  Several of the GOATS are planning to go this year, some for just a day, others for the duration and it is certain that it will be a fun weekend.

– Image from ukgamesexpo.co.uk