Spiel Essen 2024

October 07, 2024
Spiel Essen has come and gone, and what an experience it was! This was my second year attending, and the 4 days flew by. For the first time in history, all four days SOLD OUT, with over 204,000 attendees! It's incredible to see how much the hobby continues to grow.

If you read my last post, you’ll know I approached my purchases this year with a clear strategy. I set a budget I didn’t want to exceed and curated a list of must-have games. While I stayed under budget, I realize now I wasn’t as strict with my wishlist as I planned. Some games sold out quickly, and others I decided to hold off on for now—but overall, I’m very happy with what I picked up.
 
Here’s a picture of everything I brought back from Spiel!
 
I arrived on Thursday in the late afternoon and spent a few hours at the convention. My first mission was to grab the expansion for The White Castle, and luckily, I managed to snag a copy. After that, I went after the rest of my list. To my surprise, some games were already sold out, and I was told to check back the next day. Unfortunately, a few titles I really wanted slipped through my fingers. I’ll definitely need to keep an eye out for the games I couldn’t snag at Essen this year. I’m hoping they’ll pop up again soon either online or at my local game stores.

One game I’m particularly grateful for pre-ordering was Tea Garden. Oh wow, this game is absolutely stunning. I waited in line for 20 minutes, the whole time feeling anxious that they might hand out the last copy before my turn. Spoiler alert: I got my copy!

Once I secured the games that were at risk of selling out, I could finally relax and enjoy strolling through the halls. I was still on the lookout for the other games on my list, so I navigated each hall with a plan in mind. I spread out my purchases over the four days to avoid carrying too much at once, and by the last day, I had almost everything I set out to buy.
 
I didn’t get to play many games this year because, in addition to shopping, I was helping my friend Leonie at her booth. I assisted with teaching people how to play Biome and promoting the game overall. It was so much fun to see Leonie again and to meet the rest of her family. If you haven’t heard of Biome yet, definitely check it out! I couldn’t be prouder of her—Essen was a huge success in getting more people aware of the game. 

For me, Essen is an absolute highlight of the year. Walking through the crowded halls, surrounded by endless rows of new releases, there’s a buzz in the air that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s not only about the games—though that’s a huge part of it—but also about meeting other passionate gamers, chatting with designers, and discovering hidden gems that you never knew you’d love. Whether I’m tracking down a must-have game or just taking in the atmosphere, Essen always leaves me feeling energized and excited about the hobby.

Next year’s Spiel Essen is set for October 23-26, and I’m already excited! With the dates locked in, the countdown has officially begun. The thought of diving back into the halls, discovering even more amazing games, and reconnecting with the community has me eagerly looking forward to another unforgettable experience. It’s never too early to start planning!

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Gabi

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