Gamescom 2013 & Past Experiences (& car ferry)

blitzwing85

blitzwing85

blitzwing85

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Couldn't find a thread related to Gamescom 2013 so figured I'd start one as I'm looking into attending.

Currently debating the travel situation. My first thought was to drive there. Unfortunately I live in Newcastle so it's 10 hours to Cologne from here. I also have a question over whether or not my car could even get on the ferry as I've never seen it. My car can not get in any multistory car parks, or get on a standard sized curb. :rolleyes: So I'd have to look into that angle. (pun intended...)

Probably as easy just to fly over. Prices are cheap enough. £400pp flight/hotel for a decent hotel.



But anyway...anyone else ever been to this event, or any other games related public event?

I'm curious as to what it's really like. Is it worth going?

I have this worry It's just a lot of time spent sitting around, or standing in a queue etc and not being able to get a good view of things. Sort of like a theme park during a school holiday - pointless being there.


Please share any experiences or thoughts you have :)
 
Never been to GC, but i have been for the last 3 years to Eurogamer in Earls court, and yes expect lots of queing.

To get a play on the WiiU last year a wait of around 1 1/2 - 2 hours was normal, suffice to say i didnt bother, i can only imagine this year will be insane as the Xbox/PS4 will be there, BUT im prepared to wait :eek:

I normally look to see whats going to be at the event and prioritize the game i want to play most first, then look at the rest as it happens, and go back to play other once more if the queues die down .
 
I've only ever been to the smaller events, my lowest point at one was queuing for 2 hours to see a skyrim video! No one knew what was in the booth!

Anyhow I wouldn't drop £400 on an event unless you really feel the need to. You'll come away with playing a hand full of games, and a handful of gaming handouts such as stickers, tshirts etc.
 
Well...I'm pleased I asked as it seems to confirm my reservations.

The cost of going to the event I wouldn't consider a factor really as Cologne is a great place and one I could visit time and time again just for the cocktail bars and restaurants. I go to Cologne for Amphi festival anyway, which was where I noticed the Gamescom advertisements as the venue is nearby.

But even so...I'm a very impatient person and am certainly not willing to stand in >1 hour queues to watch, or play a game for a short duration of time.

And as noted, this year will likely be crazy due to next gen on the horizon.


I may have still considered it but end of the day I have my 3 week honeymoon/wedding combination on the 2nd September, then an Engineering exam for my part time OU degree in mid October so by the time I'm actually all settled from those...next gen will be very close.

Maybe it's something i'll just look at doing just for a day sometime if I'm intending on being in town around then anyway...rather than going out of my way to attend
 
Tickets are at least reasonable like. £28-£30 for the full event. I'm going to decide whether a 3-4 day trip to Cologne is something I fancy that week. IF I do, then I'll just pop into Gamescom for 1 day while there.

Not going to go there primarily for it.
 
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i went a few years back, was presenting at the developer conference that runs the days before (GDC) and got a freebie pass for the main conference.

my first observation was that it was HUGE, like amazingly massive! So wear comfy shoes and don't plan on carrying much. Secondly getting a hotel room last min was a pain in the rear (and very expensive) so book that up early.

Didn't have too many problems with the queueing, the treble A games were about an hour but most stuff you could almost walk straight onto. Some really impressive stands etc around, makes you properly appreciate how big an industry its grown to be.

Otherwise Cologne is a great city, well worth the visit for the beer, icecream and culture :)
 
Im going for the first time this year. Me and 2 other friends paying £200 each for flight tickets, hotel and 2 day passes.
 
eyyaz said:
Im going for the first time this year. Me and 2 other friends paying £200 each for flight tickets, hotel and 2 day passes.
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£200 each sounds like a nifty deal.

Flights are annoyingly expensive from my local airport. As in >£100pp more just for flight to Cologne and Back and that's just against Edinburgh which is only 2 hours drive North.
 
Siliconslave said:
Otherwise Cologne is a great city, well worth the visit for the beer, icecream and culture :)
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The convention centre did look huge when I was passing last year when it was being advertised. The annual festival I go to is just round the corner (tanzbrunnen).

I love Cologne. 2 of the best meals I've ever had were there.
Also found an uppmarket cocktail bar underground which was great. Nearly missed my flight home last year from sitting in there all night. lol.
Checked time and it was 1am...my flight was at 3.30am!!
 
I went to the Eurogamer Expo as a freelance journo a few years ago (when it was in Leeds), and really enjoyed it. Chatted with a few devs, played some really good games (including Heavy Rain and L4D2), and had a great time. My two issues were these...

1) You get very tired standing around
2) If at all possible, go with a friend

As I was (kinda) working I didn't go with anyone, and in hindsight it would've been good to have a friend or two along with me to chat to while I was queuing to play the games. One of these days I'll return to the industry and get along to one of the events again, as it really was very cool.
 
Davey_Pitch said:
I went to the Eurogamer Expo as a freelance journo a few years ago (when it was in Leeds), and really enjoyed it. Chatted with a few devs, played some really good games (including Heavy Rain and L4D2), and had a great time. My two issues were these...

1) You get very tired standing around
2) If at all possible, go with a friend

As I was (kinda) working I didn't go with anyone, and in hindsight it would've been good to have a friend or two along with me to chat to while I was queuing to play the games. One of these days I'll return to the industry and get along to one of the events again, as it really was very cool.
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Yeah that's deff a good point like. I think it could get quite tiresome and boring by yourself. My partner would come for sure but she isn't that interested in games. (only certain ones). 1 mate would certainly be up for it but the others have commitments like young kids, or limited funds, no time off etc.

Will chat with them at weekend over some beers when they might be more willing. haha.


If it wasn't so close to my honeymoon trip I'd probably just say what the hell and go for it. But with everything else coming up within that week it's made me think twice.
 
Gamescom

What is there to do at gamescom as I don't really know much about it and their website doesn't say much, also where's the cheapeast place of book a hotel for gamescom ?

Cheers
 
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