It might seem surprising, but the UK’s gaming industry has felt a significant void in recent years. Following the decline or absorption of EGX and its indie-focused Rezzed events into MCM Comic Con, the UK lacked a central annual gathering for the gaming industry and community to unite and celebrate their shared passion. Fortunately, as the UK’s gaming sector continues to thrive, the need to fill this market gap has become apparent, leading to the emergence of the London Games Fest.
This week-long event sees developers and studios, predominantly from Britain, converge on the capital to showcase their upcoming projects and share their insights. The festivities culminate in the highly prestigious BAFTA Games Awards ceremony. What began as an ambitious idea supported by the Mayor of London has blossomed into what might be the UK’s premier gaming event.
Throughout the week, attendees are treated to a variety of conferences and panel discussions led by industry leaders. The week is further enhanced by “New Game Plus” on Thursday and Friday, a mini-convention dedicated to showcasing auteur and indie games, reminiscent of a revived Rezzed. This year, the event took place at Exhibition White City, a grand venue providing ample space for around 120 exhibitors, from the Scottish studio 4J Studios with their Minecraft competitor Reforj, to the Bristol-based Friday Sundae working on the charming “There Are No Ghosts At The Grand” expected by the end of 2026. Devolver Digital was also present, displaying “Dark Scrolls” and “Heave Ho 2,” alongside Volvy and The Lamb from “Cult of the Lamb.”
The New Game Plus event felt like a breath of fresh air, marking a return to form for UK-based gaming conventions that had, in recent years, been overshadowed by the more consumer and pop-culture-focused MCM Comic Con. With thousands of attendees and the backing of a wide array of developers and publishers, this event appears destined for significant growth.
The following day marked the UK’s biggest night in gaming. The BAFTA Games Awards transformed London’s South Bank into a gathering of the global gaming elite. Companies like Sandfall Interactive were there to celebrate “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” AdHoc to highlight “Dispatch,” and Hazelight to support “Split Fiction,” among many others. The ceremony brought together talented developers, charismatic performers, and seasoned executives for a show that surprised, evoked emotion, and most importantly, celebrated the best of the gaming world.
The BAFTA Games Awards maintained a focused, well-structured, and balanced presentation, ensuring everyone received their due recognition without getting bogged down in excessive reveals or announcements. However, there were still moments of surprise, including stunning musical performances and the global premiere of the 007 theme song “First Light,” performed by Lana Del Ray. The ceremony struck an exceptional balance, delivering numerous awards and special moments within a concise two-hour timeframe.
While the UK gaming sector has experienced some ups and downs in recent years, the London Games Fest indicates a promising upward trend. The continued growth, development, and evolution of the festival remain to be seen, but the established platform and the strong foundation laid are commendable and exciting. This format holds the potential for the London Games Fest to become the country’s preeminent annual celebration of the industry. By connecting familiar yet distinct events into a cohesive whole, it makes the capital an incredibly thrilling place to be in mid-April.
The key question is whether it can sustain this growth and if the format and scale will remain effective as larger entities begin to influence the more independent, smaller-scale New Game Plus. While uncertainties remain, the current collection of personal and engaging events spread across the city, culminating in what is often the season’s final major awards ceremony, offers a wonderful way to celebrate all aspects of video games in the UK. Frankly, I’m already looking forward to its return in 2027.