Gaming Conventions and why they mean so much to gamers

Since the start of the pandemic, in-person events have been few and far between. Those of us who loved attending festivals, events, and conventions have had little to cheer about these last 18 months but with things starting to open up again, we look at why gaming conventions are important and why you should consider going to one too.

E3 has been leading the way for gaming conventions during lockdowns, with E3 2021 running as a virtual, online-only event, with free access for all. While it was undoubtedly a success, certain charms and benefits of an in-person convention just can’t be replaced. 

There’s a connection with other gamers

Gaming sometimes feels like a single-player RPG without anyone to interact with. For some, that might be exactly the experience they’re after but for others, who enjoy the social element of gaming with different players, gaming conventions are the next level. 

When you play online, not only are you interacting with different people all over the world but you can speak to them through a headset, type through chat, and make real connections with people. Attending a gaming convention multiples this feeling a hundred times over. Meeting people in real life who enjoy the same games as you and have lots in common with you, gives you a real sense of belonging.

Gaming is for everybody

Another of the greatest things about gaming conventions is getting to see gamers from all walks of life. 

Attending one of these events means you’re surrounded by like-minded people who are all very different but united in their love of games. It doesn’t matter what gender, age, or nationality, gaming brings us all together.

This can be incredibly comforting and heart-warming for a lot of people. Seeing that you’re part of a community as diverse and as passionate as gaming is really special.

The games

We can’t forget these, can we? Without the games, there would be no conventions. 

Games these days come in every medium imaginable. There are AAA titles that you’ll see countless commercials and ads for, all the way to indie games by developers you’ve never even heard of, but don’t worry you’ll be able to experience any that you love. Sometimes you might have to wait, but there will always be a spot for you to get a closer look. 

These conventions offer unrivalled accessibility and the ability to get your hands on titles before they’re released, meaning you can be the coolest kid on the block again – and you might even get some exclusive merch too!

Your favorite devs are there

This is a more specific benefit, but for some of us who follow game developers on YouTube or Discord, actually being able to meet them in person is a tremendous experience.

Meeting your favorite game developer gives you a great opportunity to tell them how much their games mean to you, gaming for many is a very important part of their lives. You can also tell them what you want to change, ask them about any sequels or new projects, and get some exclusive details to take home with you.

All in all, attending a gaming convention is an experience like no other, and the memories and friends you make will last a lifetime. Be sure to grab tickets to your local event, or even try and snag tickets for the larger ones, either way, we know you’ll have a blast!

How to game in person with your friends when the world opens up

Over these last 18 months, many gamers didn’t experience the downturn that a lot of other people have. Most took it as an opportunity to finish the games they never quite got around to, while others were able to finally sink their teeth into that game that’s been collecting dust on their shelf ever since they bought it. A lot of us took the time to immerse ourselves like we once did, and the prevalence of online multiplayer meant that we never felt disconnected from our friends. 

Others, however, those who enjoy the social interaction from in-person gaming, have been longing for the days where they could set up an old-school LAN party, play a local game of Mario Kart or Smash Bros, and enjoy a night in with their friends.

With the world beginning to open up again, here are our tips on how to do just that, and make the most of in-person gaming again.

LAN parties

Ah, the age-old classic. For the veterans among us, LAN parties have been a staple of our gaming lives for years, and in 2021, with things trending in the right direction, we see no better time to return to the tried and true set-up.

Here are the five most important things you have to remember when planning a LAN party: 

Number one is making sure you have ample space for all your friends and even extra seating arrangements for those who might bring guests. Many LAN parties have been ruined when guests are left out or feel excluded or feel like you’re not a good host. Plus, the more people playing, the better!

The second is making sure you have hardware spares and extra monitors/TVs if you need them. If something breaks early in the night and you don’t have a replacement, that means the friend in question is pretty much out for the night, which sucks for everyone. Ever gone to a friend’s house to play games then realized you don’t have the right cable? Yeah, happens all the time. Make sure you have plenty of extensions, HDMIs, chargers, everything you might need to get up and running, and stay up and running.

Three and four are pretty much common sense. You’re going to need to ensure you have a decent internet connection and make sure you’ve planned out the games you want to play. Imagine turning up to your friend’s house, sitting down and getting set up then arguing for the next hour on what game you should play first. Then to make things worse, it’s almost unplayable because your connections are too slow! Plan these things ahead, get everyone on the same page, and ensure you have a great time.

We saved the best LAN party tip till last, the food. When you’re gaming and pulling an all-nighter, you’re going to need lots of fuel and that food can make or break a good LAN party. Get everyone’s dietary requirements, try and ‘Wow’ your friends as a host, and make sure everyone has enough to eat. You could even contact a local caterer, maybe a fast-food restaurant, to get your order scheduled so you know when you’re eating and that it’s going to be enough. These are the most important things so make sure you’re taking notes.

Casual gaming

Some of us might not be able to plan such an extravagant event as a LAN party, and that’s okay. If you don’t have the time, the money, or even the room to set up events as described above then there’s plenty of alternatives you can do to make sure you and your friends still maximize your gaming experiences.

One such way is planning a more casual night in with a console. The benefits of a console over PCs are that you need far less hardware, usually only a controller, and you only need one large screen where you can split-screen or take turns.

Games where you play as a team are perfect for nights like this. They’re fun to participate in even as a spectator and you can create tournaments between yourselves as well as competing all at once in the same game.

The same rules apply to both seating arrangements and food but these types of nights are far easier to pull off meaning you can even have them once a week, with everyone knowing when to arrive and what to bring.

Outside gaming

With the introduction of Augmented Reality games, all you need is a smartphone with one of the many AR games downloaded and you’re ready to play with all your friends outside. Whether you’re on your lunch break at work or hanging out at the park, AR games provide a great way to have fun as a group and bring a new dynamic to your gaming lives.

Usually, AR games will have real-life landmarks set as significant locations for you to explore as a team or challenge other players to get different rewards. This offers a great opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, get your daily steps in while playing, and explore the world around you.

The world is opening up again and with it, the ‘gaming with friends in person’ world is opening up too, so make sure you follow our tips to make the most of it.

Tips on How to Better Your Chances at Landing Sponsors!

If you’re a content creator, chances are you’re angling to land a sponsorship. There are tons of ways a sponsorship can benefit you, whether it’s raising your profile online or helping contribute towards that next PC or Console upgrade. Supplementing your income, or even paying all your bills by creating content, is the ultimate goal for a full-time streamer/YouTuber.

You might be asking then “how exactly do I go about getting these fabled sponsors?” Well, XP is going to tell you all about how.

If you’ve been creating high-quality content for a number of months or even years, chances are some brands will find you organically, especially if you’ve built yourself a following. The best way to grab those sponsorships though is being proactive, doing your research, finding those brands that are right for you and your content and convincing them that you’re the perfect choice to represent them.

How to find the right brands

It isn’t always easy to find brands that align with you, you need to make sure that their products or brand image fit well with your channel and audience.

You also need to consider brands that you actually like. If it’s a product that you actively use, such as a capture card, VPN, camera, or even video game, then reaching out to those companies is a great opportunity to show you’re enthusiastic about their products.

Don’t sleep on smaller brands. Most of the big names in sponsorships are likely inundated with content creators reaching out every single day, you’re far more likely to get a response from a lesser known company. Startups and small to medium-sized brands are a great place to start reaching out, if they see you’re a loyal supporter they may be interested in growing together. 

Be active on yours and their social media. Hootsuite tells us that brands are more active on social media now than ever, and it’s much easier to show brands how good of an option you’d be if you have a great profile to showcase. Being active on their social media means you can check out who they interact with, which can lead to you discovering even more companies that you can reach out to.

Apply for sponsorships

With streaming becoming staggeringly popular over the last year due to the global pandemic, the opportunities that come with this rise in popularity have increased tenfold.

Some companies, such as Corsair, have begun offering “streamer programs” with different sponsorship levels. To be eligible, you’ll need to prove your worth, based on number of followers and other requirements, to determine what sponsorship level you’ll be able to apply for.

As an alternative, some companies act like agencies that try and “match” you with varying brands that they think will work best with your content. We Hype and PowerSpike are some of the easiest-to-use examples. Though they’re definitely more of a middle man than an agency, you’ll still be required to reach out to each brand specifically, using your own pitch.

This isn’t an option for everyone, but for those with no idea where to begin, it’s a great way to get yourself in front of more brands and learn how to properly sell yourself.

Selling yourself to brands

Now, here’s the difficult part. You’ve done all your research, you’ve made a list of brands you think are perfect for you and your audience, and it’s time to sell yourself.

You have to remember the most important thing when approaching a brand is remembering they’re a business. In order for a company to even consider sponsoring you, they’re going to want to see good reasons why doing so would benefit them and their business.

There are a few things that they will pay a lot of attention to, such as how you interact with your fans, how you act on and off-screen, the quality of the content itself, and if you’re a professional individual who’s reliable. Brands these days can’t afford to sponsor someone who’s going to let them down after a month or two.

It isn’t going to just come down to how many followers you have though, if brands see you have a large following but hardly any engagement on your profile, and a low view count, they aren’t going to think you’re worth sponsoring. Remember, they need to see you interacting with your viewers as this is how they’re going to get their side of the arrangement.

Make yourself more attractive to brands

A great way to show that you’re engaging with your viewers is by asking them questions, responding sharply, and making sure you aren’t ignoring viewers even if they might be asking the same things. 

Welcome new viewers to your streams when they arrive, ask them how their day is going or what game they want you to play next. You need to show you’re interested in their opinions and their views, that way a brand can see what your audience is interested in and whether it would be worth it to sponsor you.

Being the most fun and playful version of yourself will do wonders for how brands see you. If you’re a reliable streamer whose streams are full of engaged viewers who trust your opinion, you’re going to be the perfect choice for brands that are looking to sponsor content creators.

Conclusion

While taking into account everything explained here, the main thing you’re going to need is resilience, thick skin, and persistence.

Gaining sponsors isn’t an easy task and it may take you weeks, months, or even years of trying before you land one. It won’t happen overnight and you’ll likely get lots of rejections but don’t let that get you down, keep at it, and one day you’ll land that big break and be able to cite XP as the reason you got there.

Twitch Offers More Than Just Gaming

Twitch is evolving. You might not be a streamer watcher yourself, and you may not even be interested in gaming at all, but the influence of gaming is enormous, and it’s only getting bigger.

With Twitch becoming ever more popular over the last year or so, the range of categories, and the content creators that come with them, have exploded. More and more people are out of work and looking to make money working from home but for those who aren’t gamers, the traditionally “gamer-focused” streaming site of Twitch has become the place to go.

What’s more, the non-gaming live streams have become so popular that they’re even pushing out the age-old favorites and becoming the dominant medium on the site. 

Wired reported in January that: “In December, Twitch viewers watched 81 million hours of ‘Just Chatting’, Twitch’s category for streamers who do exactly that, plus any number of other grab-bag activities. That was a solid 7 million hours more than the first game listed, League of Legends, and 23 million more than the second, Fortnite.”

Twitch is transforming into a general live-streaming site and with that comes the magnitudes of supporters who are slowly becoming used to the new way of things. The plus side of this means that, for both content creators and viewers, the variety on offer is huge and benefits both.

With gamers branching out into various mediums, the trends that dictate live-streaming will broaden. In particular, the general social element that live-streaming provides as a way to connect with fans and viewers.

Why it matters

This isn’t just important for consumers though, businesses can take advantage of this developing movement and look to take advantage of the changing format by engaging with creators and creating new marketing opportunities. To illustrate the point, Twitch users watched 660 billion minutes of content overall in 2019, that’s a lot of eyes to be able to get in front of.

This means that the expansion of gaming culture is directly related to the expansion of a variety of content in the live streaming space. Twitch streamers’ power to command different genres, topics, and conversation shows that gaming has come a long way from organizing LAN parties with your friends.

Twitch used to be a very limited area for brands looking to advertise. The channels available were very niche and they didn’t offer the opportunities that sites like YouTube did. Now? Twitch is a legitimate channel for influencer marketing and consumers to watch more diversified and engaging content.

Whether you’ve been playing video games for a year or a decade, you’ll have heard the age-old trope of “video games are bad for you and your health!”, while the sun shines through the window, illuminating your face.

Is this true though? Let’s find out.

A common stereotype you often hear is that those who play video games are lazy, anti-social teenagers who don’t know how to interact with the real world and therefore play games at home instead. This isn’t supported by real-world data.

Three different British and Canadian institutions discovered that those who play online are the best at communicating and more likely to come across as friendly.

One of the researchers, who attended over 20 separate events where gamers gather, said; “gamers aren’t the antisocial basement-dwellers we see in pop culture stereotypes; they’re highly social people.”

Another finding was that gamers often form even stronger relationships and bonds than those who don’t game, due to mutual interest and love of the games they play together.

Playing games online promotes being social and teaches key communication skills that teenagers might not get elsewhere. Thus, setting them up for better interactions in life and a much more active lifestyle in the real world.

Active video games

Active video games, if you haven’t heard the term before, generally apply to games where you have to move your body in order to actually play the game itself.

The Nintendo Wii is what brought this type of gaming to the mainstream, with motion control gaming offering a brand new way of improving your fitness without having to attend a gym.

Games such as Wii Fit and Wii Sports offer a different type of gaming experience and one that promotes a more active lifestyle while making you healthier, all at the same time.

A study conducted at the University of Oklahoma showed that playing motion control games was just as beneficial for your cardiovascular health as walking on a treadmill at a speed of 3.5mph.

The tests carried out were comparing heart rate, rates of exertion, and how much energy was spent, of children 10-13 while they performed different tasks. One was playing active video games, another walking on a treadmill, and the basic watching television.

What was most interesting is that the exercise tasks (active gaming, walking) burned the same amount of calories, which was almost three times as much as just watching TV.

Remember then, when someone tells you that gaming is for lazy people and it doesn’t help you keep fit or develop social skills, show them this article, then invite them to play a game with you!