Insomnia Gaming Festival i69
Hey gamers, well it’s a new week and having just had the best weekend ever it’s time for a new blog. For those of you who follow me on Twitter (which I'm going to assume is most people who read this XD) you may have seen that I spent a weekend at a festival, to give more details and a bit of context I just spent my Saturday (27th August) at Insomnia Gaming Festival #i69 and as the last part of the day stamp fades from my hand, I'm here to update you all on how awesome my first festival and gaming festival at that, was. Especially as I’m pretty sure most of my family are now heartily fed up of listening to me ramble about how nice everyone was, how cool everything was and how desperate I am to attend next year – which will be the 70th event!!!
We’re going on a trip to Insomnia, zooming through Birmingham, little gamer….. (pretend that worked and didn’t sound horrible when you were reading it).
So how was it? Well I had little to no idea what I was walking into, aside from the fact it was a gaming festival – and having scoured the website for information I had very few expectations other than that the day would be a fun adventure. I had been planning to attend alone as I'm working on doing things because I want to do them, but my friend also wanted to attend and so tagged along and we went on this adventure together! Apart from the fact that every mode of transport required to get me there was running late; we made it at 12pm and had no queue as the day tickets open at 10:30am (we were a little late but still saw everything before closing at 6pm). Our first stop was unsurprisingly food, as pictured below, it was sooooooo yummy and super fast so we were able to eat and get out to explore a lot sooner than we had expected. Did my bank balance cry about it? A little, was it worth it and convenient? Absolutely.
bank balance cried but this was yummyyyyy
The festival itself took over 3 ish convention halls so that tells you the scale it was on, and it did take us more than a few hours to ensure we had seen everything, from as many of the stalls, to the various stages, the merch stands, and the events e.g. stages, that were going on as a wider whole. I won’t lie, I did attend this year for a little bit of a meme what with it being the 69th event (what can I say I'm a bit of a child at heart) but I also really wanted to go to a gaming festival and Insomnia was a great choice. The number of stands and activities was so vast, we didn’t go around all of the stalls as some weren’t entirely to our interest, but the wide variety definitely meant there was something for everyone. I specifically loved how there were creator stages with creator tavern (which everyone can go in) and the fact there was the British Esports Association doing a promotion of women in esports (we love to see it).
A wide range of stalls in the marketplace was also super exciting for those among us with a passion for retail therapy, my friend brought one of the official jerseys of the event (get there earlier if you want a specific size as we played a round of hunt the jersey size across the various parts of the centre) while I brought a pair of cat ears with little bells on them that jingled every time I moved my head a fraction of an inch (there will be pictures of them somewhere on here). The ears were hella cute and I will definitely be wearing them next year. I saw a ton of adorable cat ears (myself included) in a range of colours and styles and floppy moving ear hats (in various colours and designs) walking around the event all day, and I really loved how no one thought twice about it or felt the need to make comments – I had full on conversations with indie gaming company representatives while wearing them and no one cared. There were also so many small businesses selling incredible pieces of art, the poke balls in particular (as pictured below) were so beautiful, though we only found them towards the end of the day as the stall was crowded most of the day – not really surprising when you see how pretty they are.
pretty pokemon balls! not sure of stalls name T.T
Something I really loved was the board where all attendees could leave notes, put stickers (as given by the event), and leave doodles (pictures below!!!) did I get in some quick self promo? Absolutely. Couldn’t waste such a golden opportunity! Though I wasn’t the only one I promise! There were also tons of cute drawings, also pictured and I left a few of my own, the only problem I had with this? I needed stilts or a chair to be able to reach anywhere near the top of the board as my 5’4 height really wasn’t cutting it! Though I had a really fun conversation with a group of three guys who were also getting in some self promo and cool drawings (and unlike me were able to reach the top of the board), to the 6ft whatever guy who told me I would grow because I said I'm quite smol (he laughed so clearly agreed)– I appreciate the sentiment my dude, but I haven’t grown since I was 15 and that was a while ago and bruh you were literally towering over me!!! Haha, anyways they were super nice and the guy with the long hair and blue backpack who was part of the group was super sweet and funny. Funny gamer boys aside, the boards were a really fun interactive idea and I loved seeing what other attendees have left and I loved it as an idea for all the attendees to make their mark at the festival as a wider whole.
Okie so I already mentioned it, but as I said, everyone was sooooo nice and friendly. I was pretty anxious about being a girl at the festival as I wasn’t sure what to expect especially as we talk a lot about how toxic the gaming community can be towards women, but I can happily say I didn’t feel uncomfortable once throughout the whole day. Everyone was really welcoming and friendly, people would happily talk to anyone and everyone was really respectful – especially of the cosplayers (more on this later), it definitely gave me some faith in humanity. As I said before as well, I liked how no one commented on whether people were wearing cat ears, or pleated skirts and thigh highs and how it felt so non-judgemental as an environment. Granted I heard some random parents mouthing off about a group of people wearing maid costumes – they absolutely slayed those maid costumes btw – but inside the convention? So safe, so comfortable and friendly, non judgemental and it makes me aware that next year if I want to go in a pleated skirt with some thigh highs and an oversized hoodie or whatever, it’ll be ok! Everyone was so nice and I had really lovely conversations with people that I would normally be way too intimidated to go up to on the street.
A lot of the attendees were in groups but I would definitely feel comfortable attending alone as everyone was really nice and I feel like you could make a lot of friends super easily from how lovely and open everyone is (even though I’d assume most of us were introverts!). There were some adorable couples (cosplay couples included), I saw several esports persons – including members of GUILD and FNATIC playing Valorant and several esports teams that were walking through (I didn’t get any pictures with them so if you wanted to meet someone specific I’d suggest messaging them ahead of time to ask if they’d be available, especially if they’re from one of the esports teams competing – I really should’ve done this myself). I’m taking applications for a tall gamer boy to attend with me next year (just joking! Kinda). One thing I will say, is damn did I feel smol. Okie so I’m aware I wouldn’t win height prizes, and by average British female sizing, I'm pretty on par with average, but genuinely felt very smol as so many people were simply tall – so next year I will definitely be wearing trainers with a boost in them!
Onwards!
Next up to discuss is the stages!!! I didn’t see all of them, though I did catch the end of the creator and creator talk on the expo stage, watched the Valorant (for fun?) tournament in the esports area as ran by a section of the British military – I couldn’t tell you who as I was paying attention to the clutches being done, and also the Assassins Creed 15th anniversary cosplay competition – though me and my friend missed the main cosplay event as we went to watch something else. The stages are super varied, tons of topics covered, and all the presenter/host/interviewers/whatever name you would like to give them – have such high enthusiasm and energy that you can’t not love it. The host of the Assassins Creed cosplay event was especially entertaining, telling us how he wished he had friends (I do not remember the context) and did a forward roll, on stage (as pictured below mid roll) which apparently broke his walkie talkie. Oppsie.
The Just Dance tournament stage also looked super fun though I didn’t actually see it, instead someone who I went to high school (and had no idea was attending the event – didn’t see her or her boyfriend once) did and her videos of the tournament show it as a fun part of the event. The range of stages throughout the day was really vast and I loved how so many topics were covered in a relatively short amount of time, with the ability to move between stages and dip in and out as and when you pleased especially throughout all the areas and the tournament that were being run in each section e.g. the esports tournaments being played on a range of games. Something I loved about the stages specifically, was the fact that many of the creators were willing to have open discussions – part of the discussion between creators I heard on the Saturday afternoon was about burn out from playing games over and over as part of creating content (/streaming) and how this can lead to burnout. Hearing such frank discussion was encouraging, especially in regard to creating all forms of content.
Additionally, I loved that there were areas with sofas and beanbags to sit on and game if you wanted to take a break from walking around and just chill for a bit – completely valid as my feet are still recovering from doing 4 ish laps of the exhibition. There was also the zombie infection area where you could book a session to play, at one part of the afternoon the zombies came out of the infection and I can say quite safely I would have been scared playing but it did look fun and there was a constant flow of people going there so it must have been good! Plus there was the bonus of the zombies scarring passers by so if you’re cool with being scared, then it was perfect. Also the cosplays that were walking around the festival and up on stage? Incredible!!! I loved how there was a set up area for backdrops for cosplayers to take photos at (pictures below!) and everyone was so respectful to ask if each cosplayer was comfortable having their photo taken, I saw so many beautiful and incredible cosplays including Legend of Zelda, League of Legends, Animal Crossing, Genshin Impact as well as Mario Kart and several animes (that I don’t know the names of – oopsie). Massive respect to the person cosplaying someone from Genshin who was wearing traditional Japanese wooden shoes, and making it look like the easiest thing ever to do – having had no experience wearing them I cannot comment but my feet were sore from walking around in converse so my respect to that particular cosplayer is immense.
If retro games are more your thing though, then Insomnia has got you covered – there was a huge section of arcade games, retro games (retro computers and all) as well as tabletop games, all of which were easily accessible and everyone on those games looked to be having a great time. The range of games was really good and I loved that there was such a choice for attendees on the various games – did I know all the games? Nope, did I love that they were on offer anyway? Yep! It gave the chance to get into games you might otherwise not have played and that was such a great opportunity in my opinion. Especially as so much was on offer at the festival as a whole, there was plenty of time to get everything done and explore. I didn’t buy the official merch of this year as I didn’t particularly want one of the jerseys, but as I plan to attend next year (any gaming brands or esports companies wanting a content creator to attend – I humbly volunteer) I will for sure be on the look out to buy something – probably another hoodie for my mum to complain about when it returns with me from uni, hehe.
There was also the bring your own computer setup which from what we could see when we were walking around (as we didn’t partake in that part of the festival) it was hugeeeeeeee, it was so large and that area along with the rest of the esports section was in a darker light situation than the rest of the exhibition. Which was awesome for seeing all the lit up PCs and various gamers (I’ll find a video to link on the BYOC section so you can see inside it).
Finally let’s talk tickets – I bought a standard day ticket with ticket protection which was a couple of additional pounds (I know it’s not something most people would buy but having been stung with a discounted refund because of lack of ticket protection earlier in the year, it’s something I now buy). A standard day ticket for any part of the weekend was 27.77£ plus or minus ticket insurance, which was a good price considering the entry on this ticket was 10:30am till 6pm. A priority ticket for the day was for 37.18£ which meant entry was instead 10am till 6pm and priority seating at stages – with the addition of access to all zones. There was also the option to stay at the NEC but I am unsure how much this was for as I was searching for these prices post the weekend.
The bring your own computer set up for standard of the four days of the festival (Friday till Monday), EXPO hall entrance 10am till 6pm (Friday through Sunday), access to community games area, esports stage and the bar in BYOC area (after hours). Plus the obvious of a chair, table, power and LAN network within the hall. Finally a standard ticket for the weekend which was going for 78.98£, which gives access to the EXPO hall 10:30am to 6pm, access to all day and evening stage shows, access to after hours bar, as well as access to all zones. A priority weekend ticket which was for 104.06£, access to EXPO hall from 10am to 6pm, priority seating for daytime stage shows, exclusive goody bag for the event, access to evening stage shows, access to after hours bar and all access to all zones. (all information for ticketing is from Insomnia’s ticket website). The amount of choice was helpful, as there was something to fit what all attendees would want, for my first time attending, the standard ticket was good, even though me and my friend were a tiny tad late, we still went around everything (multiple times too).
So, my advice for attending Insomnia? Well, I have a fair bit, first up, bring a backpack, I attended with a tote bag which was overstuffed and fairly heavy by the end of the day, and in the same breath of advice I suggest comfy shoes. I walked 4 ish laps of the place and my feet were sore, my trusty converse were never going to prevent sore feet, but I wouldn’t wear anything you can’t walk a lot in otherwise you’ll be hobbling round most of the event. Wear what you’re comfortable in, no one was staring or making rude comments so wear what you want, wear that cosplay or that matching hoodie or that maid dress, those cat ears or the floppy ear hat etc etc. no one cares. And if you forgot a hair accessory? Don’t worry, the stalls sell lots of cute accessories and items that you may have forgotten or decide you want!
Keep an eye on the time, a couple of hours disappeared so fast and as there is a lot of ground to cover I recommend planning what you really want to see – especially through the Insomnia app where there is a day by day schedule that also tells you what is happening at that time when you go onto it. You’ll probably be able to see everything but like with most things in life, I think its still worth planning out the main things you want to do and then can go back for the things you are less bothered about seeing. Be prepared to spend money (but only what you want to spend of course), the small businesses are little treasure troves and there is a lot that might be miraculously making its’ way home with you. Also take some sort of charging device, my phone was dyinggggg as I took a ton of photos (way more than made it into this blog) and my poor phone was dying on the way home – which was a long train ride and taxi journey. Another thing relating to photos, personally in future I want to take a separate camera to my phone to get better photos and use my phone purely for schedule based stuff so that a camera has all my photos and videos instead.
So there we are, a sum up of my Saturday adventure at the Insomnia gaming festival i69 2022, it was super fun, I really enjoyed it – me and my friend are planning to go back next year already as we enjoyed it so much. A standard ticket worked well, comfy shoes and a bag that won’t make your shoulders ache is a good starting point, but I honestly enjoyed it so much and I'm so glad I attended Insomnia this year.
That’s all I have for you!
Hope you enjoyed this blog and enjoyed reading a little taster of my weekend at
my first gaming festival. I totally recommend going into an Insomnia gaming
event if you can – and I’m super excited and looking forward to being able to
attend next year’s summer event. Thank you so much for reading!
See you on the next blog!
Byeeeeee
Insomnia Gaming Festival
website –
https://insomniagamingfestival.com/
Insomnia Gaming Festival BYOC
LAN video from YouTube –
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