UK Games Expo 2025
30th May - 1st June 2025
These events come around quickly, don't they? We wish them to arrive quickly so we can get stuck in to the fun, and then it's gone again and we're planning the next one. Life and fun never stops though. Let's talk UK Games Expo, which was nothing but fun.
Thursday. I left home and the target was Birmingham, my new home for the weekend, Premier Inn at Birmingham New Street. A paradise inside, not so much outside, but McDonald's is next door. Over the weekend, I had 7 Happy Meals. I'm collecting those Pokémon cards, so you can't blame me. The first thing I did after checking in to my hotel. LEGO! I nipped to the Lego store and bought a box of bits for a future project. Then I headed to the NEC to get my tickets and meet up with the Magkman, Simon. We hit the arcade where he beat me at the games we played. Afterwards, we played in the open play area of Hall 4 and he beat me a couple more times. It was a laugh and it was good to hang out with Simon. It's always too long.
Friday. To the Expo then. The show opened, and sounds of people having fun in their thousands rang out. I love just listening to the white noise of the people in the building. I got my merchandise, visited the Catan area as I usually do first thing, had a good wander and bought a few things. Then it was to the Azul Tournament. I did pretty good, 4 wins out of 6. Not a Championship win as I'd like but enjoyed the games. I had a break from that, then went to play Carcassonne. I quit after one game for two valid reasons. The air con wasn't on in the building, it was far too hot, and my head started hurting. I knew if I carried on, I'd end up regretting it for the next couple of days. The other reason is, Carcassonne was once again mean. While my opponents were gifted the right tiles by the game, I was getting roads. I've made a decision that I'll be giving Carcassonne quite a rest after this game. I always get hit by roads and it does get a bit boring. I did a very quick shop and then headed back to my hotel for food, rest, and more rest.
Saturday. I didn't go to the Expo. First thing, I went back to the Lego store for more bricks. Then I went to my friends board game café in Wellington. Boardroom Gaming Café. My friend is the legendary Pocky Ninja, and he was running a Mario Kart 8 tournament on this day as well. It was a great time, everyone there is friendly, and in the games, I came 3rd. I've not played a lot of MK8 so don't know the shortcuts, so I didn't do too bad. The other players were really good. After heading back to New Street, I went to the Odeon Theatre and watched the Doctor Who finale. Decent episode, not a decent ending. I can't say I'm too chuffed Billie Piper has ended up as the new Doctor. I'll still end up watching it though.
Sunday. Back to the Expo where I took a ton of photos, found Labyrinth Minecraft (the only copy I saw in the entire show), and entered the UK Rummikub Championship. Once again, that game absolutely hates me. I always end up with one or two tiles I can do nothing with. I'm entering again next year. Haha. I didn't want to leave the event. I met a few people, met some new ones, didn't see loads of people I know which sucks, and I was already planning the 2026 event in my head. After going back to the hotel, I met up with my friend David for a few rounds of Pool. Good to see him and glad he's doing well since moving to Birmingham.
Monday. Train home, and I was exhausted by the time I hit the sofa with a cup of tea. I have quite a few events going on between now and the 2026 UK Games Expo, but I can't wait to attend again. I have to reorganise myself, my online presence, and get the projects I'm doing or want to do, DONE, before next year. It isn't an easy aim considering my personal life never gives me a break, but we'll see how we go over the next 12 months. Let's do this. See you in 2026.. I HOPE.
Thursday. I left home and the target was Birmingham, my new home for the weekend, Premier Inn at Birmingham New Street. A paradise inside, not so much outside, but McDonald's is next door. Over the weekend, I had 7 Happy Meals. I'm collecting those Pokémon cards, so you can't blame me. The first thing I did after checking in to my hotel. LEGO! I nipped to the Lego store and bought a box of bits for a future project. Then I headed to the NEC to get my tickets and meet up with the Magkman, Simon. We hit the arcade where he beat me at the games we played. Afterwards, we played in the open play area of Hall 4 and he beat me a couple more times. It was a laugh and it was good to hang out with Simon. It's always too long.
Friday. To the Expo then. The show opened, and sounds of people having fun in their thousands rang out. I love just listening to the white noise of the people in the building. I got my merchandise, visited the Catan area as I usually do first thing, had a good wander and bought a few things. Then it was to the Azul Tournament. I did pretty good, 4 wins out of 6. Not a Championship win as I'd like but enjoyed the games. I had a break from that, then went to play Carcassonne. I quit after one game for two valid reasons. The air con wasn't on in the building, it was far too hot, and my head started hurting. I knew if I carried on, I'd end up regretting it for the next couple of days. The other reason is, Carcassonne was once again mean. While my opponents were gifted the right tiles by the game, I was getting roads. I've made a decision that I'll be giving Carcassonne quite a rest after this game. I always get hit by roads and it does get a bit boring. I did a very quick shop and then headed back to my hotel for food, rest, and more rest.
Saturday. I didn't go to the Expo. First thing, I went back to the Lego store for more bricks. Then I went to my friends board game café in Wellington. Boardroom Gaming Café. My friend is the legendary Pocky Ninja, and he was running a Mario Kart 8 tournament on this day as well. It was a great time, everyone there is friendly, and in the games, I came 3rd. I've not played a lot of MK8 so don't know the shortcuts, so I didn't do too bad. The other players were really good. After heading back to New Street, I went to the Odeon Theatre and watched the Doctor Who finale. Decent episode, not a decent ending. I can't say I'm too chuffed Billie Piper has ended up as the new Doctor. I'll still end up watching it though.
Sunday. Back to the Expo where I took a ton of photos, found Labyrinth Minecraft (the only copy I saw in the entire show), and entered the UK Rummikub Championship. Once again, that game absolutely hates me. I always end up with one or two tiles I can do nothing with. I'm entering again next year. Haha. I didn't want to leave the event. I met a few people, met some new ones, didn't see loads of people I know which sucks, and I was already planning the 2026 event in my head. After going back to the hotel, I met up with my friend David for a few rounds of Pool. Good to see him and glad he's doing well since moving to Birmingham.
Monday. Train home, and I was exhausted by the time I hit the sofa with a cup of tea. I have quite a few events going on between now and the 2026 UK Games Expo, but I can't wait to attend again. I have to reorganise myself, my online presence, and get the projects I'm doing or want to do, DONE, before next year. It isn't an easy aim considering my personal life never gives me a break, but we'll see how we go over the next 12 months. Let's do this. See you in 2026.. I HOPE.
Thursday 29th May 2025 - The Day Before Expo
Friday 30th May 2025
Saturday 31st May 2025 - Boardroom Gaming Café (Mario Kart 8 Tournament) & Doctor Who Finale at Odeon
Sunday 1st June 2025
The Final Evening, Going Home & DICE!
