WHAT WAS THE ELECTRONIC GAME SHOW?

The Electronic Game Show (EGS) is Mexico’s largest and most celebrated video game convention, held annually in Mexico City. First launched in 2001, it has grown into a major event that attracts tens of thousands of gamers, developers, and industry professionals from across Latin America and beyond. Think of it as Mexico’s answer to E3 or Gamescom — a place where the gaming community comes together to celebrate the culture, the technology, and the sheer joy of play.

EGS 2014: THE HIGHLIGHTS

The 2014 edition of EGS, held on 3–5 October 2014 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City, was widely regarded as one of the best in the event’s history. It set a new attendance record for a video game event in Mexico and featured an extraordinary lineup of upcoming titles.

THE BIGGEST GAMES ON SHOW

Halo: The Master Chief Collection — Microsoft’s definitive collection of the iconic Halo series was one of the most anticipated games of the year, and its presence at EGS 2014 drew enormous crowds.

Bloodborne — FromSoftware’s gothic action RPG was shown publicly for one of the first times, generating enormous excitement among fans of the Dark Souls series.

Far Cry 4 — Ubisoft’s open-world shooter set in the Himalayas was a major draw, with its stunning visuals and expansive gameplay making a strong impression.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — CD Projekt Red’s epic RPG was still months away from release, but early demos at EGS 2014 confirmed it was going to be something special.

Mortal Kombat X — NetherRealm Studios’ brutal fighting game was shown in playable form, with its new characters and mechanics drawing long queues.

THE ATMOSPHERE AND EXPERIENCE

Beyond the games themselves, EGS 2014 was a celebration of gaming culture. The event featured:

Tournaments and competitions organised by Latingamer, with prizes for the top players in games ranging from fighting games to first-person shooters.

Cosplay competitions that drew some of the most creative and elaborate costumes in Mexican gaming history.

Developer panels and talks where industry professionals shared insights into game development, design, and the future of the medium.

Merchandise and collector’s items from major publishers and independent creators alike.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO ATTEND A GAMING CONVENTION?

One of the most common questions about events like EGS is: how much does it actually cost to attend? Here is a practical breakdown based on EGS 2014 and similar events:

Entry tickets: EGS 2014 tickets were priced at approximately 150–200 Mexican pesos (roughly 10–15 USD) per day, with discounts for multi-day passes and early bird purchases.

Travel and accommodation: For visitors from outside Mexico City, flights and hotels add significantly to the cost. Budget travellers can find accommodation near Centro Banamex for 500–1,000 pesos per night.

Food and merchandise: Convention food is typically priced at a premium. Budget around 200–400 pesos per day for meals, and set aside a separate budget for merchandise if you plan to buy.

Total estimated cost: A three-day visit to EGS 2014, including entry, food, and a modest merchandise budget, would have cost a local visitor approximately 1,500–2,500 pesos (100–170 USD).

HOW GAMING CONVENTIONS HAVE CHANGED SINCE 2014

The gaming convention landscape has shifted dramatically since 2014. The decline of E3 — once the world’s most prestigious gaming event — has left a gap that regional events like EGS, Gamescom, and PAX have been eager to fill. Meanwhile, the rise of digital events and online showcases during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the industry could reach audiences without physical gatherings.

Yet the appeal of conventions like EGS has not diminished. There is something irreplaceable about the experience of playing a game for the first time in a room full of fellow enthusiasts, or queuing for hours to get a glimpse of the next big release. For many gamers, conventions are as much about community as they are about the games themselves.

THE PRACTICAL VALUE OF ATTENDING A GAMING CONVENTION

Beyond the spectacle, gaming conventions offer genuine practical value for players, developers, and industry professionals:

Hands-on demos: Playing a game before it launches gives you a far better sense of whether it is right for you than any trailer or review.

Networking: For aspiring developers and industry professionals, conventions are invaluable opportunities to meet potential collaborators, employers, and mentors.

Community: Meeting fellow fans of your favourite games and franchises in person creates connections that online communities simply cannot replicate.

Exclusive content: Many publishers offer convention-exclusive merchandise, demos, and announcements that you simply cannot access anywhere else.

For an authoritative overview of the history of gaming conventions, visit the Wikipedia article on Video Game Conventions.

For more on the games that defined the PlayStation era, explore our review of Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.