European Computer Trade Show (ECTS)
London's Benchmark Industry Expo That Shaped European Gaming
Running from 1989 to 2004 in London, the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) was the definitive B2B trade exhibition for European computer and video game publishing.
European Microcomputer and Console Golden Era
ECTS emerged during the peak of the Amiga and Atari ST microcomputer scenes, serving as the essential meeting ground for European creators, publishers, and trade press. As 32-bit consoles arrived, ECTS became the battleground for Sony, Nintendo, and Sega to pitch European retail networks and showcase localization strategies.
Decline and Evolution of European Expos
By the early 2000s, structural shifts, growing competition from E3, and organizer missteps diminished ECTS's influence, leading to its closure after 2004. Its demise created a void in Europe that was initially filled by the Leipzig Games Convention and ultimately cemented by Gamescom in Cologne.