With 2018 almost over, now is the perfect time to take stock and reflect on what has been another exciting year for the world of gaming. A plethora of new games have pushed genre boundaries, with many of those games announced and teased at some of the biggest gaming conventions this year. E3, Gamescom and PAX West thrilled huge crowds this year, with the scale of some of their announcements set to inspire keen gamers to book their tickets for these events in 2019.
E3
Los Angeles’ E3 is the heavyweight of gaming conventions, renowned for mixing huge announcements with celebrity appearances. The caveat to this is that getting tickets for E3 can prove problematic, both in terms of availability and cost. Still, it is far more accessible than it used to be, with 2017’s event the first E3 to open to members of the public rather than exclusively those in the gaming industry.
Although it is preferable to be lucky enough to attend physically, such is the scope of E3 that gaming fans keenly follow from afar to track the huge announcements that game developers save for the convention. This year was no different. Super Smash Bros Ultimate’s release was announced, available on the Nintendo Switch on 7th December. A new trailer for the sequel to legendary game The Last of Us was released, with the highly-anticipated PS4 title expected in 2019.
That wasn’t the only exciting sequel news reserved for E3, with Bethesda confirming production on The Elder Scrolls VI. This barely scratches the surface of the exclusive news released at E3, making it the place to be for fans looking to get the scoop on upcoming gaming releases.
Gamescom
However, Gamescom arguably offers more for a gamer at the moment. Devised with players in mind since the convention’s inception, Gamescom caters for a wide range of gamers. One of its defining characteristics is its huge crowd; the convention is known as one of the world’s largest gaming events, with the affordable nature of the event attracting people from across the world to visit Cologne in Germany.
Packed crowds can be difficult to negotiate, although everyone is there to share in the same passion and the atmosphere is pleasant. The official reveal of Life is Strange 2 and a new trailer for Battlefield V were two of the bigger announcements, while Gamescom gave players to experience new tech from Nvidia and new levels from the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
PAX West
PAX run conventions across the United States, but the PAX West event in Seattle is the most famous of them all. Part of that fame is a result of the Indie Megabooth at PAX events, with 2018’s PAX West bringing a Megabooth featuring 78 games. The booth is an excellent way of showcasing the work of indie game developers and introducing their efforts to a wider audience.
Crowds at PAX West had the opportunity to be the first to play Dreams from Media Molecule, creators of LittleBigPlanet, while Spelunky 2 was another new title on offer. In addition to the plethora of playable video games, attendees could also participate in a Tomb Raider-themed scavenger hunt.
Whether preferring the prestige of E3, the bustle of Gamescom or the alternative experience of PAX West, there is a gaming convention for everyone. The biggest restrictions are securing a ticket and actually getting to the event, so it is imperative to plan well in advance for the conventions of 2019.