Gameing Legend Pajitnov comes to GameCity
Tetris creator to speak at leading Games Festival
24th September, 2007. Nottingham, UK. GameCity - www.gamecity.org - today announces a series of events hosted by Alexey Pajitnov, the father of Tetris. Available for almost every game console ever released, and selling well over 70 million copies in its various incarnations, Tetris is a strong contender for the world's favourite game. Developed by Pajitnov while working for the Russian Academy of Science, the game is just as appealing now as it was when it was first created, more than 20 years ago.
Pajitnov is recognised world-wide as one the most influential designers in the history of games. A winner of the Game Developer Conference Game Design Challenge, and the recipient of the 'First Penguin' award, which recognises the work of bold and innovative developers, he has a unique insight into what makes games so appealing, and a valuable perspective on where they might go in the future.
Alongside his appearance, GameCity is running a strand of events to celebrate the game's rich history. There will be a screening of 'Tetris: From Russia With Love', the highly acclaimed documentary which explores the game's extraordinary history. A Cold War thriller, with corporations from three continents vying to obtain control of the enormously valuable Tetris rights, it's a story which has more in common with a spy story than a history lesson. The UK's best Tetris player, James Clewitt, will also be mounting an attempt on the Tetris world record.
Pajitnov is delighted to be able to attend the second year of the UK's most successful new gaming festival: 'I'm very enthusiastic about being able to come and support an event which is designed to celebrate the culture and potential of games. It's great to have the chance to meet with world-class developers, and to talk with gamers, students and newcomers about what excites them about gaming'
Festival director Iain Simons said, 'It's an immense honour to be able to welcome the father of Tetris to GameCity. It's so important to celebrate exceptional games, and the impact they have on the people who play them, and it's hard to think of a game that's had a bigger international significance than Tetris.'
Alongside Tetris, GameCity 2007 will build on its tradition of bringing the people who make games into contact with the people who play them - and who want to make them. Gaming legend David Braben (co-creator of Elite) will be presenting a unique first look at his upcoming thriller The Outsider, and indie darling Keita Takahashi, the man behind Katamari Damacy, will be revealing a world exclusive preview of his hotly anticipated new game Noby Noby Boy (Namco). There's be a chance to play the best new independent games, courtesy of Indiecade, screenings of Playing Columbine, the definitive documentary exploring the Super Columbine Massacre RPG controversy, and an insight into the future of Star Wars games from Lego Star Wars' Jonathan Smith. With masterclasses with top developers for game students, sessions for concerned parents to get their gaming questions answered, debate panels chaired by The New Statesman, concerts, live radio shows and the GameCity Live gaming pavilion right in the centre of Nottingham, GameCity 2007 will once again be the most dynamic gaming festival in the world. www.gamecity.org
GameCity 2007 happens all across Nottingham from the 24th - 28th October, 2007.
"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.
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