Origins Game Fair, as suggested in our feature last year, seems to be undergoing some changes. If you’re an Essen or GenCon attendee, you might not know what I’m referencing, as these conventions seem to have bounced back to normal since the pandemic, per my conversations with others this year. The “big boys”—CGE, Rio Grande, Asmodee—are not present at Origins, or at least not in the same capacity they used to be. While the exhibitor hall certainly has representation from CGE, this company used to reserve an entire section adjacent to the main hallway at the Columbus Convention Center, though that wasn’t the case this year or last. What’s happened is a greater representation—or at least visibility by virtue of lacking the titans—of independent developers and smaller companies. One might assume that not having the big names at this event would be a net loss, but what happens is that those hidden gems and quirkier titles—as we often see in the video game world—get more time in the spotlight.
Find all of our coverage for Origins Game Fair 2024 below, including a chat with Eric Lang, a look at some games featured this year, and more:
Browse Origins Game Fair 2024 Coverage
Thank you to all who run the giant event that is Origins, but most of all, thank you to the attendees, whether hawking wares or shelving wares once home. The event’s certainly changed from pre-COVID to post-COVID, but inclusivity and board game adjacency are continued, welcomed themes. Heavy hitters may be stepping aside, but that allows for independent developers and smaller titles to take the spotlight. Origins may be evolving with the times, but that is in no way a bad thing.
