I had the pleasure of attending the Odyssey Gaming Festival on the 6th of July as press, and I can confidently say it was an outstanding event. The festival kicked off at 10am, greeted by a queue of eager attendees.
The first hall I entered showcased a variety of computer component vendors, including Kingston Technology, Logix, Gigabyte, and Marvo. These exhibitors were centrally located, while the edges of the room were lined with retro gaming stations. Both kids and adults indulged in a delightful mix of old-school console and arcade games, alongside newer racing and fighting games. The nostalgia was palpable, and the joy was infectious. One corner of this hall was dedicated to merchandise vendors, offering collectibles and clothing.
Moving into a smaller adjacent room, I found more miniature collectibles and board games like Dungeons and Dragons available for play. Down a flight of stairs, the next area featured additional collectibles, another tech vendor Verbatim was displaying gaming peripherals and Stormforce Gaming showcasing pre-built gaming computers. A particularly unique feature here was the opportunity to get a 3D scan and have it printed into an action figure.
Further into the venue was the esports gaming area, set up with multiple PCs for tournament-style games. Unfortunately, due to internet issues, this space was only used for talks and video presentations.
I had the chance to speak with the organisers, Garath and Rich, about the festival. They highlighted the main standout moments, emphasizing the sheer number of attendees and the overwhelming support for the gaming industry. The festival saw around 450 people across the weekend, a remarkable turnout for its first year.
Despite technical issues leading to the cancellation of the esports tournaments, about 25 competitors had signed up, showing a strong interest in this segment. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their desire for the festival to continue in the coming years. Although the full debriefing with special guests and game developers is still ongoing, the initial feedback has been very encouraging.
Looking to the future, Garath and Rich shared their plans for the next year. They are aiming for a larger venue to accommodate more vendors and have already started discussions with some. They also plan to expand the festival to include more cosplay elements, a wider variety of games (both new and old), more indie developers, and a bigger arcade.
Organising the event from scratch presented significant challenges, such as building a brand and growing a social following, while also competing with other major events in the area. Despite these hurdles, the most significant success was undoubtedly pulling off an event that left attendees wanting more. Seeing people enjoy themselves, especially with the arcades and retro games, was incredibly rewarding for the organisers.
The Odyssey Gaming Festival was a resounding success, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves and grows in the coming years.
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