The UK Games Expo (UKGE), the largest tabletop games convention in the UK, will see its 2023 iteration held from Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4, at the NEC, Birmingham, and Hilton Metropole Hotel. It’s where ‘all aspects of the tabletop gaming hobby are represented under one roof,’ and for those looking, here are some details about the event.
The UK Games Expo 2023 will host seminars by industry leaders, a charity bring and buy, and board and wargame tournaments. Some competitions to be held include the UK Catan Championships, the UK Carcassonne Championship, and the UK Agricola Championship. Role-playing events like the UK Cthulhu Masters, the D&D Open Championships, and the D&D Adventurers League Epic will also occur to keep fans and followers busy throughout the three days.
Some of the key events as per the official website are:
- Playtest Tables: Get feedback on your game design ideas from the visitors
- Publisher Designer Speed Dating: Game designers give a 5-minute elevator pitch to potential publishers. Closed event, attend by invitation only after an application process.
- Bootcamp: An intensive, four-hour dive into the development and presentation of your prototypes to publishers and the public, hosted by Alex Yeager. Closed event, attend by invitation only after an application process.
- Designers Networking Event: For designers, publishers, and other industry professionals.
- Show Preview: See the new designs at this 2-3 hour preview of the show on Thursday evening.
- Gamedesign Masterclass: A crash course in the theory and practice of creating exciting boardgames and card games
- Press and Business Zone: This is an area in Hall 1 NEC (Stand 1-492) where Media, Press, Publishers, and Designers can meet.
- Workshops and talks
As a family-friendly event, the UK Games Expo 2023 is where fans can meet costumed groups dressed as their favorite characters from TV and movies. They can also take photos with a Stormtrooper or outside the Tardis.
Followers can explore the Living History village, listen to tales from long ago, and maybe even fight a Viking. Moreover, they can see a live entertainment show and maybe even come up on stage and take part in interactive shows. Lastly, attendees can enter a tournament, play Dungeons and Dragons, learn how to paint a miniature, and find out how to make their own games.
What about tickets and live streaming?
Those looking to buy tickets to attend this convention and trade fair can head here for the same, with admission divided into three categories. There will also be a Show Preview on the evening of Thursday, June 1, for three hours as the largest Hobby Games Convention in the UK enters its 16th year. This part of the exhibition will be from 18.00 to 20.30, with part of it being the UKGE judges' awards presentations.
Those wanting to watch the event live can head to its Twitch and Facebook pages. Also, any Acts being featured as part of the entertainment will be streaming the activities live on their official channels, and fans can head here to get a clear idea of the schedule and who will be broadcasting when.
The official YouTube channel of the convention will also be streaming the happenings, although not everything will be shown. Meanwhile, on Discord and Zoom, certain seminars, live interviews and chats, demos, and some RPGs and organized Play will be available, apart from creating different spaces for people to interact.