GameCity5

Nottingham, 14/10/10 – GameCity, the World’s best-loved videogames festival, today announced the re-launch of the National Videogames Summit. The Summit events include Who Should Save Videogames? on Wednesday 27th, from 12:00-1:30pm at Tonic, and A Reproductive System, from 2:30-3:30pm at the Council House Ballroom. The panel debates are part of GameCity5 which runs from October 26 - 30 ^th throughout Nottingham.

Since its launch during GameCity3, the National Videogames Archive now boasts a collection of more than 6,000 items of digital heritage too valuable to lose, as well as support from every corner of the industry. With GameCIty5 the project is set to re-launch as leading figures meet to debate the initiative’s future with a series of public panel debates.

Who should save videogames – A fleet of the industry’s best minds unite as they wrestle with the who, what, where, why, when and how of digital preservation, with the public able to join in and have their say.

Compeering the debate, NVA co-founder Professor James Newman will guide a panel comprising Jonathan Smith (TT Games), Michael Rawlinson (UKIE) and Tom Wooley (National Media Museum) as they explore how the industry, Heritage Sector and public can, and should, work together to save videogames.

NVA Co-founder James Newman said, “We are delighted to be hosting the discussions as part of GameCity5. As well as bringing together leaders in the field of cultural heritage and digital preservation to continue to plan the national strategy for ensuring games exist for future generations, the NVA is excited to be working with GameCity to run a series of public-facing events.”

He added, “We don't just want to make these important decisions behind closed doors, we really want to get gamers involved in considering some of the big cultural heritage questions we're tackling. That's why we're running public sessions focused on trying to work out whose responsibility it should be to preserve games and games culture, because cartridges, discs and consoles won't last forever.”

A Reproductive System – With the plethora of sequels, prequels, remakes and reboots spilling over from Hollywood into videogames, those lucky enough to attend this second panel discussion will find a unique exploration into this most hallowed of arts from both sides of the argument.

Professor James Newman returns to lead another debate, with the panel comprised of both remakers and remakees, including Martin Hollis (Goldeneye 64) and Paul Carruthers (Xor) as they shed light on the challenges behind remaking beloved titles, and the difficulty in seeing their work re-imagined by others.

GameCity Director Iain Simons said, “We’re delighted to welcome back the NVA into the festival’s line-up this year. The Archive’s work in preserving the heritage of videogames and engaging its cultural sectors is vital and something we’re wholly supportive of, especially in allowing the public to contribute their voice to the effort.”

The National Videogame Archive panel debates are just one part of GameCity5, the yearly festival from GameCity that explores and celebrates videogames culture. For the full details on the festival line-up, go to www.gamecity.org. To book your attendance at this event, go to http.my.gamecity.org

NOTES TO EDITOR

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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 is what a videogame festival should be. 

The Centre for Contemporary Play is a research centre based at Nottingham Trent University which pioneers innovative thinking through new partnerships. Since 2008 it has worked with a variety of leading organisations from the commercial and public sector to deliver major research and inclusion projects. These include the ITAG conference, the GameCity videogame festival and the National Videogame Archive - a unique collaboration with the National Media Museum.

Driven by leading thinking at NTU, the Centre for Contemporary Play continues to create radical and innovative projects in the academic and public engagement space.

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, Rare, Denki, Monumental Games, Midway, 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