Wanting to get your fix of gaming this Easter weekend? Then head over to the Insomnia gaming festival at the NEC, Birmingham.
Dubbed the ultimate gaming event of the year, the frequent fixture on UK calendars is back in full swing after a two-year hiatus due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The 70th instalment – the event traces right the way back to 1999 – is chock full of gaming, pop culture and retro vibes.
Club386 was present as the curtain lifted and there’s a great crowd to mingle with, as like-minded gamers from all walks of life come together to test their skills, or merely watch the pros compete on the familiar Insomnia stage.
There’s an opportunity to try your hand at VR, Cosplay workshops are available for all ages, and though Insomnia was traditionally a PC event, consoles are now fully integrated with a dedicated Nintendo Switch tournament zone.
The UK’s largest BYOC (bring your own computer) LAN party is in full swing – there are some serious rigs on show! – and don’t worry if you consider yourself a relative newbie; intermediate and casual tournaments are running alongside the elites.
Be sure to drop by the Cyberpower Gaming Bus, grab a cuppa from the excellent Yorkshire Tea stall, and if you’re bringing the family (kids under six go free), there’s now a dedicated Family Gaming Arena. Better still, drop by the Retro Gaming area to show the young’uns some proper games! Everything from Duck Hunt to Bubble Bobble is available to play.
Insomnia i70 runs throughout the Easter weekend, with day tickets starting from £27. Head over to insomniagamingfestival.com for more details.
