EGLX - Canada's Largest Video Game Expo Returns to The International Centre, March 9-11th

EGLX 2018 Has Gaming Industry Covered

TORONTO, March 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada's largest and one-of-a-kind video game expo is back, and bigger than ever! The Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo (EGLX), is designed to attract and engage the gaming community of all ages, interests, and skill levels.  EGLX is expecting over 15,000 gaming enthusiasts to attend this year's three-day consumer and industry expo.

EGLX 2018 is proud to host over 150 Exhibitors, a game swap with over 60 tables featuring hands-on experiences, and a first glimpse at upcoming industry trends and forecasts.

"We launched EGLX in 2015 with a very simple mandate; to unite gamers everywhere," says Jason Lepine, Manager of Operations at Enthusiast Gaming Inc., EGLX's parent company. "The response has been overwhelming, and we look forward to making this year's event bigger and better in every way possible."

This year, EGLX features a series of highlights and entertainment, that ensure to engage everyone, such as: a VR Hub, Nerf Battle Arena, Minecraft Building Contest, Retro Arcade, Kid Zone, and an Artist's Alley. A full event schedule is available here.  

EGLX also aims to inform gamers of up-to-date advancements on videogame technology, offering an interactive experience, through an array of features offered at the event. Some of the gaming experiences all attendees should expect to enjoy at EGLX 2018:

• Gaming on the Go - Portable consoles first became popular in 1989, when both the Nintendo Game Boy and Atari Lynx launched original handheld devices for gamers to play "on-the-go". Jumping forward into 2018, users should expect to see more hybrid console designs, extensive mobile gaming apps, and development into location-based gaming. One trend that stands to have huge impact within the industry is Augmented Reality, which allows users to incorporate aspects of the real world into an active-gaming environment. Augmented reality is what creates an interactive gaming world in Pokémon Go, and will soon be featured in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.

• Virtual Reality- Creating an immersive experience for users, virtual reality games use advanced technology to place players into simulated environments. Offering striking visuals and auditory feedback, virtual reality tech allows users to pick-up on sensory cues that elevate the gaming experience. Though virtual reality has been in development for years, the overall accessibility of its technology will make headway in 2018. New virtual reality café's are popping up in the GTA and you can demo the latest games at EGLX's expanded Virtual Reality Zone.

• Indie Development- Powerful narrative arcs combined with inventive character design will prove to be extremely popular in 2018 thanks to Indie developers. Indie content is affordable and becoming incredibly accessible, making it appealing to large numbers within the gaming community. Expect to see imaginative indie titles such as Super Meat Boy Forever and Indivisible gaining buzz in 2018. Curious about upcoming Canadian independent developers? EGLX 2018 will feature an open Indie Corner where gamers can demo uniquely crafted games and speak directly with industry members.

• ESports Evolution- Esports, where members of the gaming community participate in organized competitive events, is the fastest growing trend on the horizon for 2018. Gaining international acclaim, Statista, projects the Esports industry will be worth $1.5 billion by 2020. Enthusiast Gaming Inc. and Destructoid.com will invite thousands of competitors for a lineup of energized live videogame tournaments during EGLX 2018. Spotlighted competitive events include Smash Bros., CS:GO, Halo 5, Hearthstone and Street Fighter V.

Doors will open at 12pm on Friday, March 9^th.  The Expo runs until 6pm on Sunday, March 11th at The International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.  Single admission, weekend passes and family passes are available online and at the door.   

About Enthusiast Gaming and EGLX 2018:
Enthusiast Gaming is the fastest growing online community of video gamers. Together with its owned digital properties and live events, Enthusiast Gaming reaches over 50 million gamers on a monthly basis across 50 digital properties worldwide.  Enthusiast Gaming Inc. created and operates Canada's largest gaming expo, Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo.

EGLX 2018 is powered by Bell Media and supported by dozens of industry partners. For a full list of sponsors, please visit eglx.ca.  

For more information, visit www.enthusiastgaming.com or www.eglx.ca and follow us on Twitter @EGLXofficial Event hashtag: #EGLX2018

SOURCE Enthusiast Gaming

For media interviews and more information on the event: Cara McCutcheon, [email protected], 416-557-2139