The gaming industry has grown exponentially over the last few decades. What started out as merely living room toys has become a $100+ billion-a-year industry, branching across all levels of society. As the gaming industry has continued to grow, so have the events surrounding it. While E3 used to be the lone event of the year in the 1990s, it's now just one of many, and with its absence this year, others have stepped-up to fill its place. So far this year, gamers have already been treated to a stellar Summer Games Fest season, as well as a handful of exciting Nintendo Directs and Sony State of Plays, and now Gamescom has come to wrap it all up. However, the year is far from over.
In September, gamers can look forward to a whole host of gaming events, either in-person or via online streams. While these events may not have the same level as clout as an E3 or Gamescom, nor the same amount of game reveals or announcements, they're still worth tuning into, with plenty of developer and publisher panels to watch.
PAX West 2022
One of the longest-running gaming events, PAX West is returning once more to the Seattle Convention Center. Over the course of four days, from September 2 to 5, fans will be able to tune into a variety of panels, featuring big-name guests from across the industry. From Xbox's Matt Booty to former President of Nintendo America Reggie Fils-Amie, PAX West 2022 has plenty of panelists worth tuning in for. For those in-person, the show floor is set to have a plethora of new games available to try out, including Splatoon 3, and a variety of Limited Run games. PAX West 2022 will have three livestreams going for its main stage panels, and another for its eSports coverage.
Women In Games Festival/Conference 2022
Running from September 6 to the 17, the Women In Games Festival returns for its second year, highlighting the importance of gender equality in every aspect of the gaming industry, from developers to journalists. To make the event as inclusive as possible, all the panels will be livestreamed and available in all regions. The Women In Games Festival 2022 sees all of its original events return, such as the Women In Games Awards and the Conference, and also brings two new events to the show: the Career and Networking Expo and the Women In Games Investment and Finance Forum.
Tokyo Game Show 2022
Another industry staple, the Tokyo Game Show 2022 is set to run from September 15 to 18, and while a lucky few will be able to attend in-person, the majority that can't are still being catered for via online streams. The Tokyo Game Show often has a few reveals up its sleeves, particularly from Japanese-based developers like Capcom. It's just been confirmed that the PSVR2 will have its first playable demo at the Tokyo Game Show, showcasing Resident Evil Village VR at the same time. Capcom has also confirmed that Street Fighter 6 will be playable at the event, meaning that it's likely that fans will get to see some more gameplay during the show.
EGX London 2022
Rounding out September is EGX London 2022, which runs from September 22 to 25. Though some panels may be livestreamed via EGX London's official Twitch channel, this is mainly an in-person event. For those lucky enough to get tickets, EGX London 2022 has a plethora of Indie titles to play on the show floor, as well as some classic multiplayer games that are already set up for large-scale LAN matches. EGX London 2022 will also offer UK gamers their first opportunity to try out Sonic Frontiers before its November release date.