GameCity

Nottingham, July 6th, 2010 – GameCity, the World’s best-loved videogames festival, with the National Videogame Archive, both initiatives of Nottingham Trent University’s Centre for Contemporary Play, have announced an evening of videogames discussion at the Japanese Embassy in London. The event is strictly by invitation only. All attendees must bring a valid form of photo ID and their booking details. Entry is 18+ only.

With GameCity helping to bring to life a children’s playground designed by Keita Takahashi, a night of discussion focusing on the topic of play will take place at the Japanese Embassy.

Headlined by Keita Takahashi, the creative mind behind Noby Noby Boy and Katamari Damacy, other panelists include Mark Stephenson, designer of the brilliantly innovative LittleBigPlanet and Martin Hollis, producer of Goldeneye, one of the most critically acclaimed FPS’ of all time. Chairing the discussion will be Iain Simons, Director of GameCity, and co-founder of the National Videogame Archive.

Iain Simons said, “It’s a great honour to be welcomed to the Japanese Embassy, and I’m looking forward to chairing a stimulating evening of exploration and discussion.”

Exploring the importance of play in all aspects of our everyday lives, the discussion promises to look into the relationship between Japan and the UK and the cultural exchange taking place in the videogames industry.

All attendees must bring a valid form of photo ID and their booking details. Entry is 18+ only. For full details on how to register your attendance at this event, please follow the link below.

http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/event/games/invitation/100713.html

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Due to security measures, photography and audio/video recording inside the Embassy is prohibited. There will be an official GameCity photographer who will be able to provide pictures after the event if required.

GameCity was launched and continues to be delivered by The Centre for Contemporary Play at Nottingham Trent University, with support and backing from a range of private and public sector partners. Since 2006 it has grown to become widely regarded as the best-loved videogame festival in the world. In 2008 NTU collaborated with the National Media Museum to launch the UK National Videogame Archive.

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*GameCityNights is a series of after-dark monthly events that brings together developers, students and players in a celebration and exploration of videogame culture - with prizes. Every month a brilliant headline speaker will be making their way to Nottingham to share their thoughts, passions and give a unique insight into their work.

Gamecity’s aim is to bring together developers and the public to explore and celebrate videogames and videogames culture, with a particular focus on students. We attract the best speakers in the world, offer up-and-coming artists and developers a platform for their games and create totally unique events.

Some of GameCity’s greatest hits include a world-record breaking zombie gathering, Keita Takahashi designing a children’s playground and Masaya Matsuura, Lorne Lanning, Alexey Pajitnov and Media Molecule having headlined.

We’ve worked alongside some of the most prominent names in gaming, including; Warner Bros, TTGames, Crytek, Activision, Namco Bandai, SCEE, Xbox, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Freestyle Games, David Braben, Media Molecule, Splash Damage, Harmonix, Jagex, Rare, Denki, Monumental Games, Midway, Introversion, Zoe Mode, ThatGameCompany, Nana-on-Sha and lots more.

Going way beyond just playing games, GameCity offers other new ways for people to interact with videogame culture. Art exhibitions, director commentaries, playground building, live recreations of videogames, gigs, gong-shows, three World Records, arcade trails, club nights - nothing is off limits for this most radical of videogame festivals.

Don’t just take our word for it, see what others have said after working with us,

GameCity looks poised to become our industry’s ?rst Sundance. A truly unique approach for hosting a game festival that seems long overdue.

Lorne Lanning, Oddworld Inhabitants

GameCity is unique. Any games festival that can reunite industry legends, lead to a Japanese game developer designing a playground, and evoke religious sentiments in a shopping centre is doing something very right for sure.

Edge Magazine

The year’s most inventively programmed new arts festival.

The Times