PLAY Expo Manchester takes over Event City this coming weekend (October 8th and 9th) with what promises to be an action-packed weekend of gaming goodness.

You’d expect to see a few brand new titles in some of the biggest series in gaming at an event like this, and the big guns are coming out for PLAY Expo. Before they’re even available in shops (and in some cases before the press have even been able to get their hands on them!), visitors will able to try out some truly mouth-watering titles including Tekken 7, WWE 2K17, Rock Band Rivals, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.

Other highlights include:

Tomb Raider 20th Anniversary Celebration, featuring talks and Q&A sessions with key members of the development team from throughout the series’ history, including Ian Livingstone (former CEO of Eidos Interactive), Natalie Cook (the original Lara Croft model!), and a whole host of programmers, designers and composers.

WiFi Wars, hosted by Steve McNeil (Dara O’Briain’s: Go 8-Bit) and Chris Slight (Sky News). Winner of Time Out’s coveted ‘Not to be Missed’ award and hailed as a Top Ten ‘Geek Night Out’ by Metro, WiFi Wars promises a mad-cap show full of comedy and interactive gaming for all ages!

Acclaimed UK developer Rebellion will be bringing their stunning reboot of Battlezone to the Expo, delivering intense first-person tank warfare across gorgeous neon landscapes, combining the instant adrenaline of the arcade with a deeper tactical challenge. Battlezone is a bold homage to Atari’s classic 1980 arcade game, widely regarded as the forefather of virtual reality gaming with its distinctive periscope display. Visitors to PLAY Expo will be amongst the first in the world to experience the high-intensity virtual warfare for themselves, competing again each other in thrilling state-of-the-art virtual reality!

The Red Bull 5G Tournament (Qualifying rounds). Originating in Japan where the first tournament took place in 2012, the Red Bull 5G is inspired by traditional 5 vs 5 martial arts tournaments, playing homage to the classic rivalry between east and west, and a growing culture of competitive gaming. With a grand prize of an all-expenses paid trip to Japan in December, those entering the tournament select their game of choice from five critically-acclaimed titles across five different genres. The best gamers in the north of England will battle it out for supremacy, and play for a coveted space at the Red Bull 5G final taking place in November 2016.

Throw in a huge variety of panels, presentations, and Q&A sessions, along with Virtual Reality attractions, merchandise stalls, dedicated table-top and retro gaming areas, cosplay masquerades, and a fighting game tournament with cash prizes, and there truly is something for everyone regardless of whether you’re a casual fan or hardcore gamer.

For more information on PLAY Expo Manchester 2016, including the all-important info on how to get tickets, please visit http://www.playexpomanchester.com.

Replay Events can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @ReplayEvents.

SHARE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW OR ON TWITTER @STARBURST_MAG

Find your local STARBURST stockist HERE, or buy direct from us HERE. For our digital edition (available to read on your iOS, Android, Amazon, Windows 8, Samsung and/or Huawei device – all for just £1.99), visit MAGZTER DIGITAL NEWSSTAND.

CLICK TO BUY!

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB: