The most popular world gaming events to visit in 2022

For any geek, gamer or proud nerd, gaming expos and like-minded gatherings are the best entertainment.

At these festivals, fans of the same universes meet to discuss the craziest fan theories and share hopes and dreams associated with their favourite characters and worlds with each other. They can even meet celebrities there, as well as the creators of the most famous media franchises.

A huge number of conventions are held around the world for fans of various genres: anime, video games, comics or casino bonuses Australia. Among the best festivals around the world, here are 20 recommendations with all the info to start packing for the road. (For even more info there’s this article: Five things I wish I knew before I started Marvel Snap.)

Game exhibitions for gamers

E3

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (also known as E3) is perhaps the most famous event in the gaming industry. The three largest gaming companies – Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo – will present exclusive games and new consoles here. Other well-known development companies, such as EA and Ubisoft, hold their own events like E3.

Initially, E3 was created in order to practically introduce the media to new games and provide information for press reviews, but since 2017 the exhibition has been open to the public.

• Where: Los Angeles (California, USA)
• When: Every year in June
• How much: $150 (early registration) or $250

Why go? E3 is a convention for gamers and geeks, but with Hollywood chic, because among the visitors of the exhibition there are not only celebrities of the gaming industry, but also stars known to everyone and everyone. And here, almost every minute, important announcements appear, so those who can’t get to the exhibition can follow what is happening online.

Gamescom

Even more impressive is the scale of the Gamescom gaming exhibition, which takes place in Germany. With over a quarter of a million attendees each year, Gamescom is considered the largest gaming industry event in the world.

Gamers come from all over Europe (and beyond) to play the most popular games and then discuss them while eating delicious German sausages.

• Where: Cologne (Germany)
• When: Every year in August
• How much: From €12.50 to €16 per day

Why go? Participation in Gamescom is cheaper, and more PC products and a direct-to-consumer focus make this event very popular among gamers.

PAX West

Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) is a series of gaming events taking place around the world. The PAX West exhibition in the USA is perhaps the most famous among them.

It was first held in 2004, and since then, for more than a decade, the organisers (who are also the creators of the Penny Arcade webcomic) have been doing everything possible to make gamers and geeks flock to the event.

• Where: Seattle (Washington, USA)
• When: Every year, end of August to beginning of September
• How much: $50 one-day pass

Why go? At PAX West, participants will learn the loudest news in the gaming industry (including games announced at Gamescom and E3), attend presentations from developers, and also fight in tournaments. As Dan MrPointyHead Meyer, editor-in-chief at Explosive Alan, says, for anyone looking for something really out of the ordinary, PAX West is the place to go.

Gaming Exhibition – EGX

EGX (formerly Eurogamer Expo) is organised by Eurogamer, a European online video game publication that has been publishing coverage of gaming shows and festivals for over a decade. So, here they are well versed in what is good (and what is bad) when holding a great gaming party.

A kind of spin-off of this exhibition is EGX Rezzed, which is held annually in London and focuses on indie games.

• Where: Birmingham (England, UK)
• When: Every year in September
• How much: £15 to £70

Why go? According to Dan Mayer, “You’ll be thrilled to see all the best new stuff, [and there’s] dev meet-ups, esports tournaments, a job fair, retro gaming, cosplay and tabletop gaming sessions on EGX.” So here one can find out all the important news and have a great time in the company of people with the same interests.

ESL One

ESL One is a series of esports competitions taking place around the world. At the ESL One New York tournament they play Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and at ESL One Cologne they fight in Dota 2.

ESL One series tournaments are also held in Katowice, Genting Highlands, Birmingham and Belo Horizonte.

• Where: Katowice (Poland), New York (USA), Genting Highlands (Malaysia), Birmingham (UK), Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Cologne (Germany)
• When: Various times throughout the year
• How much: $29 to $169

Why go? Adam Stevens, owner of gaming and esports resource BC-GB Esports, says ESL One tournaments have a “magnetic” vibe. Game fans come to the tournament to see the most outstanding players in CS:GO and Dota 2 fight.

DreamHack

DreamHack is another series of esports events. It includes Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and StarCraft 2 tournaments.

Over 300,000 people attend the DreamHack tournaments every year, and even more people watch them live on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

• Where: USA, Sweden, Spain, Canada
• When: Various times throughout the year
• How much: $30 to $535

Why go? As Adam Stevens rightly pointed out, esports can be absolutely amazing in terms of atmosphere. To see how a favourite team wins the final battle, or to witness the incredible victory of an outsider over the general favourite – these are indescribable experiences! DreamHack gives fans the opportunity to see these unforgettable moments with their own eyes.

Insomnia

The Insomnia gaming event started as a local online tournament where players competed for the title of the best, but in recent years it has become more of an entertainment gaming event. It is considered the largest gaming festival in the UK and is very popular.

• Where: Birmingham (England, UK)
• When: Various times throughout the year
• How much: Varies

Why go? Dan Mayer says that Insomnia has “a bunch of activities to keep you entertained” and there’ll be “the chance to find new friends, new hobbies and even a new job.”

PlayStation Experience

Although Sony usually makes major announcements at E3, for several years in a row, the company has hosted its own event dedicated specifically to games on the PlayStation, called the PlayStation Experience, at the end of the year. This is where Sony makes unannounced presentations and updates on its biggest franchises, including The Last of Us.

• Where: Las Vegas (Nevada, USA)
• When: Every year in December
• How much: $65 to $75

Why go? The PlayStation Experience has a lot to offer for PlayStation fans, including the chance to play games, listen to and even meet developers, and hear and see all of Sony’s annual announcements and announcements. And here, fans of Sony consoles share their impressions of their favourite games, characters, etc.

Although the geek events we have described here are some of the most famous, there are other very popular festivals as well. So, no matter how unusual one’s interests as a geek may seem, somewhere there is bound to be the perfect festival.

The editorial unit