eGamesExpo - Melbourne 2007

Feature

We get up close and intimate with the largest gaming event Down Under.

November 23rd, 2007 by William Thompson

eGamesExpo � Melbourne 2007
With the recent increase in size of the Aussie Gaming market, it was inevitable that a games expo similar to E3 would arrive Down Under. This Australian equivalent, known by the name �eGamesExpo�, is the place where both local and international game developers and publishers get to show off their wares to hardcore and casual gamers alike. Having several Australian writers on our staff, Hooked Gamers sent KingWilly to have a look around at the second annual eGamesExpo.

The day started out 11.15. As a media representative, I felt like a VIP as I was ushered into the Expo to collect my media pass. The lines outside were building and I basically just walked right past them all. So long suckers! After collecting my Media Pass and Media Kit, I headed for the main stage where a handful of speakers thanked the assembled media for attending and helping to get the word out about the Expo.

Atari

At that, the media dispersed and went in their separate directions, looking to see the latest and greatest in gaming. I had a friend working on the Atari stand, so I headed off there first. I arrived to find the Atari team completing the setup of a Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 competition. I had a little chat with my friend before trying my hand at the game. PES looks great �and more importantly- plays great. I am a little envious now of those readers who entered and won the Hooked Gamers PES2008 competition last month. I played a couple of games against a guy who had been playing while I was chatting away, and I think he�s played previous incarnations of PES on Xbox, because he whipped my butt. I wanted more practise, but there were other games that needed my attention.

Nintendo
I headed over to the Nintendo stand. OK, Nintendo really knows how to put on a show. They had some eye-pleasing presenters and anyone who arrived was instantly greeted by these girls: the stand was right near the entrance. After being whipped at PES2008, I decided that something more cerebral would be the way to go. Big Brain Academy on the Wii was right up my alley. For those of you who have no idea what Big Brain Academy is, it is a series of small puzzles designed to help memory and thinking skills. It is normally played as a single player game but has a two player option as well. At the display, the two player game was being shown as a one-on-one competition. As I was awaiting my turn, I was watching one competitor having trouble with one of the puzzles. I just wanted to scream out the answer, but held back in case I had trouble with a seemingly obvious puzzle when it was my turn. When it was my turn, I am glad to say I won comfortably. The presenter even mentioned that I had the highest correct percentage so far� That wasn�t saying much really. Only a small number had been through to that stage of the day.

Whilst in the Nintendo section I also tried out a number of other Wii titles. I was especially interested in games that showed the various uses of the Wii controller including Wii Bowling, Wii Tennis, Super Mario Galaxy and a crazy little title called Rayman Raving Rabbids 2.