David Braben to Headline Opening Day at GameCity 2007
5th September, 2007. Nottingham, UK. GameCity today announces the attendance of legendary developer David Braben, founder of Frontier Developments and pioneer of the videogame moral dilemma, at this year's festival. Spending a packed-day in the city, David will spend the day of the 25th October talking, advising and (tastefully) showing off some of his studio's breathtaking technology.
As is becoming usual at GameCity, attendees will be the very first members of the public to get in-depth looks at forthcoming titles. Braben will be giving the audience a privileged insight into Thrillville: Off the Rails, sequel of the acclaimed Thrillville (LucasArts).
David Braben commented, "I'm delighted to be coming to GameCity. It's a unique opportunity to encourage students to enter the industry by discussing some of the exciting things they could be working on."
David Braben will be hosting several sessions at the festival this year, and participating in the New Statesman fringe events in the evening.
"Having David Braben attend is a huge boost for the opening day of the festival", said festival director Iain Simons. "Whilst Elite is obviously a hugely important piece of work, we're delighted to be able to highlight his other amazing output over the years."
GameCity is the only event in the UK to bring developers, students and lovers of interesting culture together in Indian restaurants, and this year promises to continue shattering expectations of what a videogame festival could be. Taking place across an entire city, the festival happens in a huge variety of venues - from cinemas, to market squares, to restaurants, cafes, schools
GameCity is all about celebrating the culture and development of videogames, specifically bringing the people who make them into contact with the people who play them - and who want to make them. Students from Universities across the UK will be attending in their droves to question, probe and applaud the developers taking part.
With the full programme to be announced in early September GameCity can promise the participation of some extraordinary talents. Developers already involved include Frontier, Freestyle Games, Travellers Tales, Free Radical Design, Rare, SCEE and more.
Importantly from an Industry point of view, GameCity is perhaps the most visible example yet of the public sector stepping up and explicitly supporting the development of its work. Iain Simons, festival director commented, "We're delighted with the support that the festival has gained from the City of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University - its lead partner. It feels like a real milestone on the journey to mainstream culture for interactive entertainment that an event like this can happen at all - and then be embraced by the public sector."
"It looks like our industry might have found its first Sundance. GameCity is a unique approach to a videogame festival that seems long overdue.." - said Lorne Lanning.
"GameCity shows us how a videogame shindig should be run" - said EDGE.
"..promises to be the most inventively programmed new arts festival of the year.." - said The Times.
Same time, same City, new Games.
GameCity happens all over Nottingham from the 24-28th October, 2007.
www.gamecity.org
Nottingham's annual celebration of videogames and interactive entertainment
We are trying to discover what a videogames festival could be
2006: 4 days, 25 venues, 3000+ attendees
2007: more venues, more fun, more guests, more games