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WASD

WASD
Martin's avatar
Martin

For me this has changed a lot over the years. (this is based on my experiences in the UK)

I started attending events over 10 years ago. I managed to get two tickets for a Saturday for my wife and I. We turned up and walked onto the show floor – that instant I knew I would be attending shows for the foreseeable future.

It was loud, and busy. There was so much atmosphere. It was incredible. I was solely into my AAA consoles (Xbox) at the time. They all had stages, with things going on all the time. It was crowded and all the up-coming games where there. Merchandise being given away on every corner.

Over the years it continued much the same, the venues changed and got larger. Indie stared to feature a lot more and eventually got their own area which became my go to for all shows, they have so much passion for there creations. AAA was dying off, the larger publishers/companies stopped doing stages and eventually sponsored stands and didn’t come along themselves.

Social media/influencers started to make their impact it was easier and cheaper to put something online than it was to organise an in person presence at a show. The covid hit and all in person events got cancelled, social media took over.

Once covid allowed everyone to get back to “normal” shows started up again however they could no longer attract the AAA’s or larger publishers – the atmosphere from the old days had gone, large open spaces replaced once packed stages. Queues shrunk and the noise died out.

There was only one real survivor – Indie Games – my now go to for all shows I attend. Because of indie games I have made friends, got contacts, a lot of fond memories (https://justabout.com/wasd/what-was-your-favourite-wasd-moment-from-past-shows-tell-us-for-dollar4#post-17030) and played some amazing unique games. I still miss all the noise from the older shows and hope it does recover but I will always love my Indies.

Why do I love shows? – it’s the passion and atmosphere. Which begun with AAA and now Indie.

Dave's avatar
Dave
Martin

This perfectly sums up my experience as well and the history.

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod
Martin

Is there an indie or game you've seen over the years that stands out? What do you think it was about that one that sticks in your mind?

Martin's avatar
Martin
Boomer

Choosing one Indie is very hard but...

Blockships (https://store.steampowered.com/app/504700/Blockships/).

Had so much fun playing it with Dave (the creator) at multiple shows. The atmosphere he created was amazing, chatting, commentary as you played and hyping the crowd up - you don't get this anymore, you're lucky people even talk to you once you have played there game...

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod
Martin

I think I played that at MCM before the pandemic! It was a lot of fun 😄

EveOnlineTutorials's avatar
EveOnlineTutorials

My first con was an Anime one, but had a whole indie section on games which I spent around two hours playing, we had loads of free stuff as well, little figures, cards, posters etc.

Conventions for me have always been about the games and the content based within the hall, so many times when going, we always had a specific reason for it.

I've attended EGX plenty of times although in recent years when it wasn't cancelled due to Covid.

Conventions for me are about memories, being part of the event, saying "I was there" etc. so, this is why I go, because growing up I was never able to do these things, as an adult, I am, I have the money and the time.

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod
EveOnlineTutorials

The I was there part resonates so much, and I used to keep my festival wristbands on for this very reason. I eventually had to remove them when I started working with commercial printers...something about HR not wanting me to lose an arm or break the machines 🤷

Makster's avatar
Makster
EveOnlineTutorials

I love going through artist alley and seeing all the independent creators too. They are always so grateful to see that you're posting about them on socials and for me, some have even become really good internet friends that I meet up with in IRL whenever there is a local event

FrostySomething's avatar
FrostySomething

I love the little surprise moments that just seem to happen organically at these events. Things that happen outside of the schedule or announcements. I remember playing Gang Beasts for the first time. For those that don’t know, it’s like an 8 player fighting survival game with these cute little plasticine type characters. The physics are ridiculous! I’ll always remember, there was 1 screen and it was surrounded with people just laughing their asses off! Everyone wanted a go, but you had fun just watching it. I’ve never seen an indie game be so popular at an event before. It was just a lovely little fun moment, and those are the things I really enjoy.

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod
FrostySomething

Those moments must be really special 🙂 No amount of photos or video can really capture the buzz in the air!

Makster's avatar
Makster

It used to be playing demos of unreleased games but nowadays I'm more interested in panels for the Q+A and creator discussions. Those unique interactions with creators and heroes that will stay with you for life over the demos that are completed in 10 minutes.

I also love going to the artist alley and seeing getting to interact with independent creators or the after parties.

I've only been to one major videogame event and that was the first RTX. Getting to meet a lot of onscreen talent I was constantly star struck

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer

I haven't had the chance to attend a WASD con specifically, but over the past two decades, I’ve experienced a wide range of gaming conventions, from small gatherings of a few hundred to massive events with half a million attendees. What I love most about these shows is their evolution over time. They've grown to encompass not just games but a myriad of interests that bring people together – anime, TV shows, movies, cosplay, tabletop games, career opportunities, and shared knowledge. It's a vibrant celebration of our common passions.

One aspect of these conventions holds a special place in my heart: the retro zone. I'm not particularly into collecting retro consoles or games, and my own collection is modest, limited to a few old CDs. However, I've observed a unique kind of magic in these retro areas. I like to think of it as 'intergenerational bonding.' These zones offer a platform where the older generation can connect with the younger, peeling back the layers of time to reveal their youthful, game-loving selves.

Children often perceive their parents and grandparents as having always been adults, finding it hard to imagine them as young gamers. Photos, stories, or even videos can't fully bridge this gap in perception. Yet, the retro zones at these conventions create opportunities for older generations to share their memories and emotions through nostalgia. I've frequently seen people from different generations – parents, children, even grandparents – sitting together, eyes alight with excitement, as they recount stories or share long-forgotten gaming tricks.

This intergenerational bonding over shared gaming experiences is something I find truly priceless.

avrona's avatar
avrona

On the gaming side, I always like them for the atmosphere. Sure trying out new games is always fun, but the newest and hottest titles often have lines so long that's it's just not worth it. It's the stuff in between where you can find some true gems, games you'd never think you like or maybe even never heard of. It's also everything in between, competitions to sign up for, freebies to reach out, etc. Plus, where there's games, there's usually also hardware as well, which is always more what I'm into, seeing the latest and greatest, trying your luck in giveaways, and so on. It's been sad to see events in the UK like EGX nose-dive in quality in all of those areas recently, and there's really no alternative right now, but oh well.

As a content creator as well, expos of course also mean content that can be made, so I always also like them for the potential in that, as well meeting new brands or companies to collaborate and start working with.

francescasoph's avatar
francescasoph

With everything that’s going on in the gaming industry right now, and how little a lot of us are feeling valued or secure in our jobs, I think industry events remind those of us who work in the industry how incredibly powerful and capable we all are. It’s a chance to see what we’re all working on, the incredible feats being reached by some of us, and an opportunity to see the raw talent so many of us possess.

For gamers, it’s a chance to see all of the exciting games that are being worked on, and all the care that goes into them. It’s a reminder of the incredible skill that goes into something so enjoyable and so cherished by so many of us.

Industry events allow us all to connect, to remind ourselves of everything that’s amazing about working in games or being a passionate gamer, and remind us all how lucky we are.

D
Dean

The feel good vibe and excitement of everyone being equal and not being judged for geeking out about a new game. Safety from non-gamers judging eyes!

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod

If you're a fan of video games and events then have I got the bounty for you 😄It doesn't have long left, so you'll want to check it out now!

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