Entertainment, Manchester

Play Expo returns to Manchester’s EventCity for its 5th Instalment

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 By Wayne Finnigan

Play Expo, one of the biggest gaming exhibitions in the UK, returned to Manchester this month. The turnout was spectacular, with hundreds of fans piling through the doors of EventCity.

The crowds were entertained with demonstrations and given the opportunity to play of the new Battlezone game with the Virtual Reality Headset launched 13th October.

Senior Developer for Battlezone, Tom Rigby commented, “Today has been amazing, we didn’t know what to expect. We love the fact they have really old Arcade machines here and the atmosphere is a really fun.”

Alongside Battlezone, fans were able to test out upcoming games including Tekken 7, Dragonball Z Xenoverse 2 and WWE 2K17.

The hugely popular Retro gaming area offered 100’s of classic consoles ranging from the Commodore to the Nintendo 64, all which gave nostalgic effect to fan who remembered the games from childhood.

A huge cosplay stage featured guest dressed up as characters from games over the generations. Guests were also treated to a giant Marine from the Warhammer series, Bumblebee from the Transformers and a soldier from Umbrella Corporation.

Humanity Hallows caught up with the soldier to ask about his experience of the day. He said, “This is the first time I have cosplayed for Play Expo and seeing everyone come together for the love of gaming is an amazing thing to experience and witness.”

Play Expo gave fans an opportunity to meet new people and experience new games and talk to developers and magazine editors.

Humanity Hallows caught up with John and Sarah from Machinima SBOC, a gaming magazine based in London.

“It has been amazing here today. There are so many great new games out and this is why I love being part of Machinima. It really gives me the opportunity to go to places and meet new people. I just love the gaming industry and the fact that everyone has fun.”

John added, “We are looking forward to next year’s PlayExpo already.”

Play Expo returns in October 2017. For more information, visit playexpomanchester.com. To find out more about Machinima SBOC, visit www.machinimasboc.com


Wayne Finnigan is a first year student studying Criminology and Psychology. He is an avid gamer and member of the MMUGG and enjoys writing and finding out about the interesting happenings of the world.

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