IF you want to get a snapshot of how much videogames have transformed popular culture you only need to pay a visit to EGX (Eurogamer Expo).

Preconceptions are a powerful thing and if you have not been to the annual convention before you might imagine a handful of nerds huddled together staring at screens in a darkened room.

This is a far cry from the real event last week at the NEC in Birmingham which attracts a staggering 75,000 players over four days.

What makes EGX successful is that it celebrates every aspect of gaming.

There was the chance to play some of the most hotly anticipated upcoming games like Battlefield 1, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Gears of War 4 and Titanfall 2 which are likely to outsell many of biggest cinema releases this Christmas.

There was even a world exclusive with the first play of Dishonored 2.

But EGX also supports the UK's vibrant indie scene where emerging bedroom developers showcased their microbudget games alongside the blockbusters.

On top of that, there was the chance to hear from international game developers, with talks throughout the four days, and a jobs fair to help people to get their foot in the door of the thriving industry.

EGX is also a tournament space, a retro arcade and a celebration of gaming culture with countless merchandise and memorabilia stands.

The convention had a big focus on Sony this year with the imminent launch of the Japanese giant's PlayStation 4 Pro, a boosted version of its current console through the use of 4K and high dynamic range technology.

Meanwhile, the offering from Xbox and Nintendo was significantly stripped back as both companies are busy with plans that are currently under wraps.

Nintendo's 'NX' is said to be a groundbreaking hybrid of a handheld system and home console and Xbox's 'Project Scorpio', billed as the most powerful console ever created.

The other big focus over the four days was VR (virtual reality). Sony was showcasing the likes of Resident Evil 7 and the promising looking shooter, Farpoint, while players were totally immersed in a headset which made the game's world their own.

For a more simple demonstration of the perks of VR I tried Esper 2 using the Oculus Rift, a headset owned by Facebook, and a traditional controller.

Esper 2 gives you telekinetic powers and puts you through your paces in a series lab-based tests. It was a fun and effective way of showing how games can be transformed with VR.

There is even now such a thing as a VR 'treadmill'. I had a try on the Wizdish ROVR which allows you to further immerse yourself in a game by taking steps in a virtual world.

Using special shoes to slide on a sensor, I was able to literally walk around the opening segment of Bethesda's post-apocalyptic game, Fallout 4.

Admittedly the experience did not feel as natural as I was hoping – my movements on the treadmill felt a bit rough and jagged when transferred into the game but the technology is in its early stages and showed incredible promise.

One of my highlights of EGX though was the world's first play of Dishonored 2 which is out in November.

Arkane Studios' game allows you to play in your own way with an expanded range of stealthy or brutal abilities to match.

The controls felt intuitive and polished even at this early stage and the steam punk visuals were even more striking than they were first time around.

Little Nightmares also looked incredible.

With a 'doll's house perspective', the 2.5D platform game toys with childhood fears where you play as a tiny girl trying to escape from a ship that slides and shifts with the movement of the water.

It is being made by the acclaimed Swedish developer Tarsier Studios, behind the Little Big Planet games.

Meanwhile, one of my favourites from indie developers was Super Rude Bear Resurrection by Alex Rose from Manchester.

The game had a distinct and playful visual style and is a tough-as-nails 2D platformer in the style of Super Meat Boy.

What makes it stand out is that every time you die, your body remains, and you can jump on it to get ahead