It’s the biggest event in the UK gaming calendar and has been around for more than two decades.
Now Insomnia62 is preparing to celebrate 21 years of working and playing hard with a blockbuster event at the Birmingham NEC from March 30 to April 2.
Over four glorious days, attendees will get to try out the latest games as well as state-of-the-art virtual reality technology.
Some of the biggest stars of YouTube will be there, whilst you’ll be able to watch the best players in the world go into battle against each other and take part in huge tournaments against the most talented gamers on the planet.
You can visit the festival’s What’s On page to hear about all the action.
Here are a few reasons why Insomnia62 is an unmissable weekend and a brilliant way to spend your Bank Holiday.
You can bring your own computer
Insomnia62 will let you buy a special BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer / Console) ticket which allows you to bring your PC or console to the event for the weekend.
This means you’ll be able to connect to the local area network (LAN) and join in all the action.
Here what’s Insomnia62 says about this amazing network: ‘When Insomnia62 started back in 1999, the internet wasn’t as fast as it is today, so in order to get high-speed multiplayer gaming experiences players attended LAN events like ours.
‘Thanks to the Internet, we don’t need to do that anymore, but LAN means so much more to the people who are part of it. It’s a community of gamers that you won’t find anywhere else.’
There will also be special LAN tournaments on games like Overwatch, Footfall Manager, Battalion1944, League of Legends and Heartstone.
Visitors can learn all about the history of gaming
We all know the pleasure which comes from beholding the latest graphics on a hot new game.
But wait until you experience the warm and fuzzy feeling you’ll get while playing the classics in the Insomnia62 Retro Zone which lets you journey back in time to the dawn of gaming.
Past games on display have included F-Zero, Donkey Kong, Excitebike, Frogger, Bubble Bobble, Double Dragon, Out Run, CastleVania and many more.
The biggest YouTubers will be there along with the stars of Twitch
Caspar Lee is just the latest YouTuber to announce an appearance at Insomnia62.
He’ll be there on April 1 – and you’d be a fool to miss him.
Other superstars in attendance will include Syndicate, Mini Ladd, Terroriser, Yogscast, Yammy, B0aty and more.
Just keep an eye on the gaming festival’s website for all the latest info.
You’ll witness an epic Call of Duty battle.
Insomnia62 is an official partner of the 2018 Call of Duty World League Global Circuit.
This means some of the best players and team in the world will be battling it out for dominance, with a massive $80,000 first prize on offer and a total pool of $200,000.
It supports indie developers
Obviously, Insomnia62 will let you see the biggest gamers in action playing blockbuster titles.
But there’s still a lot of love for the smaller developers.
At the Indie Zone you’ll be able to play some of the biggest indie titles and talk to some of the developers making them.
Past indie games at Insomnia62 include Gangbeasts, Super Rude Bear: Resurrection, Perpetual Night and Blockships
You can try out the latest VR tech
The organisers of Insomnia62 says ‘it’s the most exciting development to hit the gaming world since Mario first dropped Bowser into a pit of lava’.
Now you’ll be able to try out the latest VR tech at the VR Zone.
You’ll travel to strange worlds, battle aliens and witness things which you’d never experience in boring old normal reality.
Will you want to go back to the real world?
The world’s top cosplayers will put on an amazing Cosplay Masquerade
This year, a huge Cosplay Masquerade will be held on the main stage.
It’s a chance to see all the incredible customers dreamed up by games fans.
And a chance to show off your own.
You can check out some classic and new games tabletop games
Once upon a time, you didn’t have to plug in to have fun.
At the TableTop zone you can play games including Magic the Gathering, Cardfight Vanguard, and Final Fantasy.
You can also get lessons from the experts and even buy some of the games to take home.
No batteries or plug sockets needed.
There are plenty of non-gaming activities
Insomnia62 features daily ticketed evening events including Fight Club Pro Wrestling and much more.
There are plenty of things for children to do and you can also get a family ticket.
You’ll be able to enjoy some retail therapy
Visit the Exhibition zone to pick up the latest gaming merchandise and games.
Whether it’s the hottest title or a t-shirt celebrating your favourite game, there will be lots to buy.
If you only go to one gaming event this year make it Insomnia62