The WASD gaming expo, a crucial showcase for UK gaming talent, has been cancelled due to financial challenges, reflecting the broader struggles within the gaming industry. The event, which primarily highlighted independent game developers, will not continue after its organizer went into liquidation.
Co-founder David Lilley cited “increasing costs and less demand for stand space” as the primary reasons for the event’s closure. The cancellation comes after speculation following the disappearance of the WASD website months after its 2024 expo.
The industry has responded with shock and disappointment. James Lightfoot from Lightfoot Bros Games, who was set to showcase his game Sleepytime Village, expressed sadness at the news. Dave Gilbert from Wadjet Eye Games described WASD as “an amazing showcase for everything the UK game scene has to offer.”
WASD was launched in 2022 as a replacement for EGX Rezzed, another gaming festival focused on smaller and alternative video games. It typically occurred alongside the London Games Festival in April and featured demos from both indie and major game releases, including Street Fighter 6 and Vampire Survivors.
The cancellation is part of a broader trend of challenges in the gaming event landscape. In September, the Insomnia Gaming Festival was cancelled due to organizational issues, and London’s EGX now operates in partnership with MCM Comic Con rather than as a standalone event.
The gaming industry has also experienced significant upheaval in recent years. Major companies like Microsoft and Sony have implemented substantial job cuts following the extraordinary growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. These layoffs have created uncertainty in the sector.
Rachel Watts, a games journalist, suggests that the shift is partly due to companies preferring digital game announcements. She notes that while larger gaming companies are moving towards online events, indie developers rely critically on in-person showcases to build visibility and community.
The London Games Festival has announced a new expo called New Game Plus, which will launch in the same time period next year, potentially offering an alternative platform for game developers.
Lilley acknowledged the importance of WASD for the “indie and creator community” and thanked supporters for their ongoing engagement throughout the event’s history.
The cancellation of WASD represents more than just the loss of a single event; it symbolizes the ongoing challenges faced by the gaming industry, particularly for independent developers who depend on such platforms to showcase their work and connect with potential audiences and investors.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, with digital platforms becoming increasingly prominent, events like WASD highlight the ongoing need for spaces that support and celebrate independent game development.
