The Electronic Gaming Expo (EGX) 2017, held at the NEC in Birmingham, offered attendees a variety of promotional giveaways, free merchandise, and prize opportunities alongside the opportunity to preview upcoming video games. The event, described as the UK’s biggest gaming convention, featured a mix of AAA titles, indie games, and tabletop experiences, with several stands distributing free items to visitors. Information on these offers is derived from contemporary reports on the convention experience.
Free Merchandise and Giveaways
Several stands at EGX 2017 provided free merchandise to attendees. The most prominent example was the stand for Destiny 2, which featured a merchandise stand and periodically launched t-shirts and inflatable weapons into the crowd. Attendees hoping to obtain these items would gather around the stand during these distribution periods.
Beyond Destiny 2, the convention included numerous stalls dedicated to selling gaming merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, figurines, and coasters. While these were primarily sales stalls, the presence of a dedicated merchandise area suggests that promotional items may have been available at some stands, though specific details on free items from other stalls are not documented in the provided sources.
Prize Competitions and Interactive Opportunities
EGX 2017 included structured prize competitions and interactive experiences that offered participants chances to win items. A daily treasure hunt was available, allowing attendees to win prizes by completing tasks or finding items throughout the convention centre. This programme provided a structured opportunity for engagement beyond simply playing games.
Additionally, the event featured areas where attendees could play games with famous personalities, though specific details on the prizes or the nature of these interactions are not elaborated upon in the provided sources. The presence of professional Street Fighter players also offered a competitive environment, though it is not specified whether prizes were awarded for participation or victory in these sessions.
Games Library and Free Play Areas
A dedicated Games Library was available for attendees, providing a space to take a break from the crowds and play a variety of games on different consoles. This area included computers running Minecraft in a LAN world, allowing for free, unstructured play. While not a source of physical free samples, this area offered free access to gaming experiences and a respite from the convention floor.
The broader convention floor also included a large section with retro consoles, arcade cabinets, and pinball machines, which attendees could play without additional cost beyond their entry ticket. This included machines for games like Centipede and SoulCalibur, providing free access to classic gaming experiences.
Indie and Tabletop Game Opportunities
The indie and tabletop sections of EGX 2017 offered additional avenues for free engagement. The Square Enix Collective stand featured several indie titles, including Fear Effect, Tokyo Dark, and Battalion 1944. While specific freebies from these stands are not documented, the indie area generally provides opportunities for developers to distribute promotional materials or access to demo builds.
A large tabletop gaming area was also present, featuring collectible card games, Dungeons & Dragons, and other tabletop experiences. This area included demonstrations and games available for purchase, but the demonstrations themselves provided free, interactive experiences for attendees.
Event Atmosphere and Consumer Experience
Reports from EGX 2017 indicate a mixed atmosphere regarding promotional activities. While free merchandise was available from certain stands (notably Destiny 2), the event was also characterised by a significant number of stalls attempting to sell merchandise, which some attendees felt reduced the overall experience. The presence of these sales stalls may have diluted the availability of purely free promotional items compared to earlier years of the convention.
Additionally, some attendees noted the absence of certain free amenities that were expected at such events, such as free energy drinks. This suggests that while some free items were available, the overall promotional landscape may have been more focused on sales than on giveaways.
Conclusion
EGX 2017 provided UK gamers with several opportunities to obtain free merchandise, participate in prize competitions, and access free gaming experiences. Key free offerings included t-shirts and inflatable weapons from the Destiny 2 stand, a daily treasure hunt with prizes, and free play areas in the Games Library and on the convention floor. While the event also featured extensive merchandise sales, the presence of these free promotional activities provided added value for attendees. The specific availability of free samples or brand trials outside of the gaming context was not documented in the provided sources.