AdventureX is an in-person annual gaming showcase conference which for the first time was held within The Hub, a section of the London South Bank University. It’s been showcasing adventure games since 2011, with not only playable demos of many adventure games but also the added benefit of holding interesting panels from people from all over the gaming sphere. After missing last year due to unforeseen circumstances, the event is back, and it seems stronger than ever.
What captured me from the start was how laid back the event was; there was time to chat with the developers and to try out all the games on offer. There was no rush, no panic, and I lapped it up. The crowds were also very manageable; it never felt overwhelming and helped in the overall vibe of a cosy, friendly and passionate celebration of adventure games.
The range of games on show was also a strong element of the event. From The Séance of Blake Manor to Broken Sword, the wonderful The Dark Queen of Mortholme, and my favourite of the show, The Tragedy at Deer Creek, there were plenty of different genres of adventure games on offer that you’d have to be pretty picky if you didn’t find something to like. The developers were all so helpful and passionate about their games, too, genuinely interested in your thoughts on your experiences. A big shout-out goes to Andreas, one developer of The Tragedy at Deer Creek, for an interesting conversation on the game but also on life living in a woodland village in Sweden – a truly unforgettable moment.
Also unforgettable were the various panels that ran throughout the weekend, which covered many different areas of not just adventure games but gaming as a whole. Some highlights included Jon Ingolds’ presentation, Always Trade Up: From Inspiration to Storyline; Dominic Armato’s keynote, Defeating Impostor Syndrome: The Threepwood Method; and others, including From Jam to Launch: A Fireside Chat with Adam Riches about Loco Motive and Sally Beaumont, Alasdair Beckett-King and Dave McCabe’s panel on Finding the Funny: Comedy Writing in Adventure Games. All were well planned out, all were well presented, everything was on time, and each was filled with many interesting facts and stories.
But you don’t have to just take my word for how great AdventureX is, as I asked Alex Kanaris-Sotiriou, the Lead Developer of Röki and Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island, if he would like to share his thoughts on the event, which he very kindly did:
I’m sitting at my desk after returning from one of the best video game events in the world, AdventureX.
It’s a bold claim, but each year the event boasts a packed schedule of genuinely fascinating and thought-provoking talks from some of the industry’s best storytellers and a packed expo hall showcasing imaginative and innovative adventure games from the past year and beyond. You might think I’ve peaked in my praise, but both the talks and expo are surpassed in one area, and it is ultimately the best thing about AdventureX for me – the people.
Everyone at the event simply loves being there, and it shows. Whether they’re veteran developers, fans who love the genre, voice actors, or gaming press, everyone is up for a chat and happy to meet new people. For an industry that often feels like it’s driven by numbers, AdventureX feels like a warm balm to revitalise and inspire even the most jaded soul.
The fact that AdventureX has been a non-profit event run by volunteers since 2011 makes it an even more incredible feat, and I can’t shower enough praise on the organising team, past and present, for distilling its unique atmosphere.
Simply put, long live AdventureX!
Alex hit the nail on the head there. AdventureX is not just about celebrating adventure games; it’s also about connecting people. It’s the perfect place to meet your next group of friends, or it’s a space to meet up with friends from previous shows and have that long overdue catch-up over a coffee or post-event meal. It’s there to put its big arms around you to tell you this is a safe space for you to just be you, and I felt I found that myself over the weekend, and that makes AdventureX my new go-to annual event. Well, that and the local beer festival!
All in all, it’s a great way to spend a day or two, hanging out with like-minded people and discovering some new games for your ever-expanding wish lists. I would like to thank the organisers for being such good hosts, making me feel welcome and for putting on a wonderful, well-run event.
Keep a lookout for our podcast specials on AdventureX, which will include interviews from some of the attendees, including Dave Gilbert, Thomas Regin and Dave McCabe, and be sure to check out AdventureX’s YouTube channel, as all the panels from the weekend are planned to be released there in the coming days, and don’t forget to check out all the amazing games that were in attendance: a list can be found on the AdventureX website with links included to websites or their Steam page.
