A month or so ago, a friend (and former publisher) of mine mentioned that they were going to have a look around London's huge Brand Licensing Europe expo at the Excel Centre. It's weird, but it's something I've always fancied attending, and never really had the opportunity to do before. But, it's free, and would be a cool opportunity to catch up and have a wander around.
While I'm not working with any publishers at the moment, the aforementioned friend suggested I went as part of their company so I could have a look around, see what's on offer and what's hot (and meet up - though alas, they were unable to attend in the end). In the past, it's always landed when I've been working. And, while I've approached and had great relationships with IP holders in the past, it felt a bit weird going without the clout of a huge publisher behind me, but I didn't want to pass up on the opportunity to have a look around and maybe talk to some cool people and start some discussions.
So how was it?
It was flippin' huge. I mean, I know this is the Excel Centre in London, and where Dragonmeet was last year (and will be this year), but it's the first time I've actually set foot inside. I mean, HUGE. Like one of the halls of UK Games Expo, only with carpet.
Of course, the biggest change is that the booths are not simply tables with some banners. No. The companies that have booths in this expo have some serious cash behind them that far outweighs anything a tabletop roleplaying game publisher could manage short of maybe Wizards of the Coast or Games Workshop (though GW actually had an impressive stand there, to entice more people into licensing the Warhammer worlds).
The booths were all huge, interactive things with screens, display cabinets, and specially manufactured arches and walls. It was all bit mind-blowing really.
Some even had dedicated areas with refreshments, or loads of tables where meetings could take place to discuss licensing opportunities - how about discussing what IP you were interested in over some Scooby-Snacks? Awesome.
And it wasn't just the actual booths that were filled with vast and impressive sights. There were so many mascot characters walking around, looking adorable!
Half of them I didn't even recognise, but they were very cool and huge. The poor people inside must have completely cooked. I foolishly went wearing a suit and tie, and was instantly too hot in the hall, so I don't know how the mascot performers kept cool short of them wearing Stillsuits from Arrakis under there.
I had a good wander around and took in all the sights before having to go off and get some refreshments and cool down, and then I went back in to do another circuit.
Most were incredibly busy and many required booking an appointment through the website to schedule a meeting with the licensing experts from each company, and as I was feeling completely out of my depth I only really got to chat to a couple of people who were incredibly considerate of my bewildered expression, and who knows...? It may lead to something in the future...
Of course, that would mean I'd need the full power of an established publisher behind me, and I'm currently a freelancer spinning like Sandra Bullock in Gravity...
 |
| Accurate description of how I feel at the moment... |
So whatdya say? Shall we make something awesome?
How about that tabletop RPG of The X-Files I've always dreamed about and is top of my list of licensed games I'd love to develop and write? Or Bond, especially as there's a reboot soon and it's now under the control of Amazon/MGM?
I still want to believe.
You know where you can find me. Until then, I'll keep working on my own tiny world I'm building.
Stay safe everyone, and stay multi-classy.
