INSiGHT: Play Expo Glasgow

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Play Expo Glasgow took place in Braehead Arena which is located inside Braehead shopping centre in Glasgow. It is surprisingly convenient for a convention like this. Firstly, the arena itself provided plenty of space for different stalls and gaming setups. Additionally, there was seating available in the arena stands, as well as in the main gaming areas for playing certain games, allowing for taking some well-deserved breaks. One area, upstairs, was a bit quieter and was set up with tables and chairs for tabletop gaming or just taking a break and having a snack - this was especially appreciated by anyone that might get overwhelmed by the crowd or the noise in the main hall. Another perk of being set up within a shopping centre was the number of restaurants available nearby. 
Play Expo Glasgow made use of handy wristbands, allowing visitors to exit and re-enter the event itself whenever they wished. That meant that it was easy to step out, grab some lunch and return for more gaming or shopping. Additionally, for anyone arriving by car, there was free parking available (more than 6000 spaces no less!), which isn't a given in a city like Glasgow. Of course, it is also possible to arrive by public transport; a bus stop was right outside the shopping centre. Overall, it is fair to say that the venue was an excellent choice.

As mentioned before, visitors were provided with different coloured paper wristbands depending on their ticket type. Visitors were also provided with a floor plan that was helpful for navigating the event, especially since not everything happened in the main arena. Indeed, there were quite a few areas set up in other rooms or corridors, but everything was signposted and enjoyable to explore.
Game Expo Glasgow offered a variety of experiences. First and foremost, there were an abundance of games to play. Set up on rows of tables with chairs for comfort, visitors could play a variety of titles and test out different consoles - anything from retro N64 all the way up to PS4. This offered an opportunity to try out some truly retro consoles and games, such as Sonic 3 and Knuckles or PacMan. There were also a small number of rhythm and music games, such as Guitar Hero or Donkey Konga. Despite it being quite busy, it was always possible to find a seat to have a go at a game, probably due to the sheer number of games and consoles available. A huge number of arcade machines were also provided, as well as pinball tables.

Another area was dedicated to indie games, allowing developers to introduce their new and upcoming games. It was especially interesting to try out some brand-new games and have a chat with the people behind them! Read more on the indie corner here.
Also situated in the main hall were the market stalls. This was the place to look for some pre-loved and rare games. From truly retro titles to pre-owned Switch games all the way to titles imported directly from Japan, this area was a true treasure trope for collectors. There was also a small variety of merchandise for sale, including an appearance from Numskull's Quarter Arcades; however, the amount of merchandise was a little disappointing. More merchandise and figurines from games, especially older titles, would have been really cool to see.
Up the stairs through the stalls in the bar area was the board game setup. A number of tables invited groups to have a seat and have a go at their favourite tabletop games, such as Dungeons and Dragons or Magic The Gathering. This area was a bit quieter and calmer, and also a good place to take a little break in.

In other hallways off the main arena, there were more setups for playing video games such as Minecraft, Halo 3 or Mario Kart Double Dash. This was also where the competitions happened, the only kind of scheduled event at the expo. In retrospect, it would have been nice to see some kind of stage schedule as well. It would have been great to ask indie developers to introduce their titles on a stage (even though they were always available to chat at their stalls), or invite developers or others from the industry for a Q&A session. A cosplay competition would have been amazing to see, as well as perhaps some other guests such as voice actors or artists including youtubers that specialise in video games. A live session of a group playing Dungeons and Dragons on stage could also provide some fun entertainment.
One thing that was especially nice to see was how many parents brought their young children to the event. "See this one here? Your dad played on this when he was little!" The children seemed to have a blast, as did the adults, and while it was noisy and busy, it never felt too packed to enjoy.