WASD Cancelled, UK Loses Yet Another Gaming Expo

As a long-time enthusiast of the gaming scene in the UK, I can’t help but feel a sense of melancholy upon learning about the liquidation of WASD and the struggles faced by other events like EGX and Insomnia Gaming Festival. These gatherings were not just occasions for us gamers to geek out over new releases and meet our favorite developers, they were also beacons of community, where friendships were forged and shared passions celebrated.


Following a prolonged absence of communication, it has emerged that the organization responsible for the London gaming expo WASD has collapsed financially. This event initially debuted in 2022 at Tobacco Dock in Wapping, London. Its purpose was to serve as a platform for showcasing emerging games, particularly from British developers and publishers, filling the gap left by the shutdown of EGX Rezzed. It was usually held alongside the London Games Festival.

WASD Cancelled, UK Loses Yet Another Gaming Expo

The co-founder, David Lilley, explained that the primary factors leading to their decision to close were escalating expenses and a decrease in the need for exhibition space, making it no longer feasible for them to continue hosting events.

There were rumors among attendees that the event known as WASD might be concluding, given the absence of its website after it was displayed at London’s Truman Brewery during the 2024 showcase. At present, clicking on the website link leads to a message indicating expiration.

The closure of WASD represents another setback for the UK gaming community, coming after the cancellation of Insomnia Gaming Festival in May due to job cuts within its organizer Player1 Events.

WASD Cancelled, UK Loses Yet Another Gaming Expo

This year, Eurogamer Expo (now known as EGX) wasn’t its usual standalone event; instead, it became part of ReedPop’s MCM London. The EGX segment was surprisingly compact, hosting only a few booths and an unusually limited selection of upcoming AAA games compared to past years.

2023 and 2024 saw a significant impact on the gaming industry with numerous layoffs affecting various companies. In 2023 alone, more than 10,000 jobs were lost, while the number of jobs lost in 2024 between January and September reached over 13,000. Notably, several studios have shut down during this period, such as London Studio – a pioneering developer for PlayStation UK – and Riot Games’ Riot Forge.

Read More

2024-11-15 13:43