The Electronic Entertainment Expo (EGX) 2018, a major gaming event in the United Kingdom, offered attendees a variety of opportunities to obtain free items and exclusive access. While the event itself is not a traditional free sample programme, it featured promotional freebies, a press accreditation system for free tickets, and a wealth of playable game demos. This article details the free opportunities available at EGX 2018, focusing on the official processes for obtaining free tickets, the types of freebies attendees could expect, and the extensive list of games available to play without purchase.
Free Ticket Access via Press Accreditation
One of the primary free offerings at EGX 2018 was the opportunity for eligible content creators to receive a free press pass. This process was managed through a partnership with Keymailer, a platform that connects content creators with game publishers.
To apply for a free ticket, individuals were required to log in or register for a Keymailer account. The system allowed users to begin the accreditation process and apply for free tickets to attend EGX 2018. It was explicitly stated that there was no fee for this application, personal details would not be shared with anyone, and there was no other obligation on the applicant.
For those already registered with Keymailer to request free game keys, they could use their existing account to apply for the event tickets. New users needed to create a free Keymailer account and connect it to a preferred video streaming platform, such as YouTube, Twitch, or Mixer, before applying for their EGX 2018 ticket.
The final decision on all press pass requests was made by the EGX team. When evaluating applications, the team considered several factors, including subscriber or follower numbers, views for recent videos, channel activity (such as posting content recently and regularly), and coverage of previous EGX events. It was noted that EGX press passes were in high demand, and an application might not be successful.
After an application was submitted, Keymailer would check whether it met the requirement for press tickets and then pass the application to the EGX team for review.
Freebies and Perks for Attendees
For general attendees, EGX 2018 was a source of various free items and perks, often referred to as "gamer loot." The event's official guide for first-time attendees highlighted several recommended items to bring, which implicitly pointed to the types of freebies available.
Attendees were advised to bring a backpack or similar bag to "stash away all your gamer loot." This suggests that exhibitors and publishers distributed physical promotional items, such as branded merchandise, that attendees could collect throughout the event.
Additional free perks included: * Free Water: The event provided water stations where attendees could fill up a refillable water bottle. The guide explicitly recommended bringing a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, highlighting this as a free facility available on-site. * Free App: Attendees were encouraged to download the free EGX app, which was scheduled to be available closer to the event. The app was designed to help visitors create a schedule and plan their time at the show.
It is important to note that the provided source material does not specify the exact nature of all freebies, such as product samples from beauty, baby care, or household goods brands. The context focuses on gaming-related freebies and event logistics.
Free Playable Game Demos
A major free offering at EGX 2018 was the extensive list of playable games. Attendees could try out a vast number of game demos without any additional cost beyond their event ticket. According to the source, there were 256 games available to play at the show.
The full list was broken down into sections, with one section provided covering games from A to I. The list included titles from major publishers and independent studios, such as: * Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (Bandai Namco) * Assassin's Creed Odyssey (Ubisoft) * Astro Bot: Rescue Mission (VR) (Sony Japan Studio) * Beat Saber (VR) * Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (Activision) * Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (Activision) * Untitled Goose Game (House House) * Wario Ware Gold (Nintendo) * Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus (Bethesda)
The source noted that the list was not exhaustive, with more games to be announced, and that surprises were in store for attendees. This demonstrated that the primary free offering was experiential—access to a massive library of game demos.
Eligibility and Practical Considerations
The only eligibility requirement for obtaining free items at EGX 2018 was for the press accreditation system. This was a selective process aimed at content creators, with specific criteria related to their audience size and activity. For general attendees, there were no stated eligibility requirements for collecting freebies or playing game demos beyond having a valid event ticket, which itself had to be purchased or, in the case of press, obtained through the accreditation process.
Practical advice for attendees included wearing comfortable shoes due to the large size of the ExCeL London venue and bringing snacks for queues, though these were not free offers. The event also featured a Handheld Zone where attendees could meet fellow gamers with devices like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck for trading, battling, and chatting.
Conclusion
EGX 2018 provided UK consumers with a multifaceted free offering centred on gaming culture. The key free opportunities were the press ticket accreditation programme for eligible content creators, a wide array of physical gamer loot and free water on-site, and, most significantly, access to 256 playable game demos. While the event did not feature traditional free samples from categories like beauty or baby care, it served as a major hub for free gaming-related promotional items and experiences. The processes for obtaining free tickets were clearly defined through the Keymailer platform, with specific eligibility criteria for press passes, while general freebies were available to all ticket-holding attendees.