Following its launch as a virtual event in 2021, the Gayming Awards returned in 2022 for its first hybrid event, welcoming 400 people in person at Troxy and over 320,000 online from 97 countries.
The awards is the first and only global ceremony celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusivity and talent in video gaming. Guests arrived at the venue with a photo reception in the Foyer posing alongside popular characters.
The event welcomed 200 general admission guests, who enjoyed the entertainment from Troxy’s iconic Balcony and 200 VIP guests including industry figures, sponsors, influencers and the nominees joined a champagne reception with canapes from popular street food vendors on the Upper Ground Floor.
Five acts took to the main stage immersing the audience in captivating entertainment including Cybil War, Aubrey Wodonga, RhyssPieces, Lolo Brow and aerial artist Shardeazy Afrodesi. The production utilised the venue’s lighting, audio and projection display, with video game montages acting as a backdrop to blend the physical and digital worlds.
To facilitate a seamless live stream broadcast, the team integrated their own control centre set up with the networks and equipment at Troxy. The event was streamed on Twitch and IGN and simultaneously shared across Youtube and social media.
Robin Gray, Co-Founder of Gray Jones Media:
“The future of events has to be hybrid. We had incredible virtual success in our first year with over 150,000 people streaming the show, but we wanted to take the awards into the live space to give the finalists and winners the evening of incredible entertainment, glamour and celebration they deserve. With so many people joining us online from around the world in year one, we wanted to maintain this inclusivity and Troxy made it incredibly easy to do so.
The venue’s in-house production team worked seamlessly with our own crew and we were utilised the extensive permanently installed lighting rigs, audio arrays and AV equipment so we had to bring minimal kit. The flexible venue spaces made it possible for us to offer two admission options, an element that we are looking to grow in future years.”
