UK Games Expo 2024: A Game Designer’s Journey

In a few weeks, the vibrant community of board game enthusiasts and professionals will gather in Birmingham for the UK Games Expo 2024 (UKGE 2024). It’s the largest tabletop games show in the UK and the third largest in the world. Now in its 16th year, from May 31 to June 2, I’ll be there, immersed in a whirlwind of pitching, networking, and testing my latest game creations.

The Publisher Designer Track

UKGE offers a Publisher Designer Track. It includes Playtest tables, game design and marketing seminars and panels, networking events, and opportunities for budding designers to pitch their ideas to publishers. 

This track includes the Publisher Designer Speed Dating, where game designers pitch potential publishers a 5-minute elevator pitch. It’s a closed event; attendees are invited only after an application process. This year, 155 designs were submitted. I’m thrilled that Extreme Dishwasher Loading (XDL) and Infinity Rogue Space Dungeon are two of the 36 that made it through! The speed dating kicks off on Friday afternoon, and as I can only physically pitch one game, I’m fortunate enough to have the fantastic Matt Hoather help me pitch XDL while I pitch Space Dungeon. It will be an intense few hours, an experience that I’m very much looking forward to – and candidly, I am a little nervous about it!

Designer’s Networking

After the Speed Dating, there will be a networking event. This session allows designers, publishers, and gaming industry members to meet in a relaxed environment for a chat and networking opportunity. Tables will be available to set up for pitching games or to sit at and chat.

Boot Camp

Another part of the Publisher Design track is the Boot camp. Held on Saturday morning, it’s an intensive, four-hour dive into developing and presenting your prototypes to publishers and the public, hosted by Alex Yeager (Amigo Spiele, ex-Steve Jackson Games, ex-Mayfair Games). Sell sheets, rules, prototype presentations, and demonstration tips will all be covered using the participants’ own prototypes. I’ve been fortunate this year as I’m one of eleven people selected to attend! It’s a fantastic opportunity, and I’m keen to absorb as much as possible to refine my presentation techniques.

Join Me for Playtesting: Playtest UK Zone

If you are going to UKGE, help me play test Extreme Dishwasher Loading on Sunday afternoon from 1 pm to 4 pm in the Playtest UK Zone. I’d love for you to play and provide feedback or swing by and say hi!

A Community of Creatives

One of the main highlights of UKGE is the chance to meet up and support my game designer friends, some of whom have stalls at the event. I’ve only interacted with some folks on social media, so meeting them in meat space will be a real treat! As per Airecon 2024, they’ll be a good gathering from Croydon’s Playtest UK group.

UKGE 2024 is set to be a great long weekend. I am so ready to rub shoulders with fellow gamers and the industry’s finest, learn from the best, and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of UKGE. The event promises a blend of professional development and fun, making it a truly unique experience.

For game designer goodness, follow me on Instagram. See you at UKGE2024!