London Games Festival: Preview
A run-down of the key events taking place as part of the this year's celebration of videogames
Chairman's Introduction
"Welcome to the third London Games Festival (LGF). The Festival offers Londoners and visitors to the capital numerous exciting events staged around the latest videogames. The LGF aims to deliver unforgettable experiences across Britain’s fastest-growing, biggest-grossing entertainment industry.
"We are delighted that this year's LGF boasts more publishers than ever. If you love videogames or simply haven't yet realised that you do, London is the only place to be right now. The audience at the Festival is sure to be an eclectic mix of young and old who all share one thing - a full appreciation of the opportunities to play great games, meet the creative talent behind them and take a peek into the future of gaming.
"We have events, experiences and opportunities covering the full spectrum of today's titles. This year's LGF includes community-based activities in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, concerts at the Royal Festival Hall and even a thriving Festival Fringe in Soho and the West End, exploring the cutting-edge of games.
"Along with the major individual events, this year is marked by the return to the UK of a large trade show that is also open to the public. Eurogamer.net came onboard in direct response to publisher demand, providing a games expo that will showcase the most anticipated games in the run up to Christmas.
"We would also like to offer our gratitude to the London Development Agency for contributing funding to the Festival and Festival Fringe, as well as trade bodies ELSPA and Tiga. These are the folk who, along with the games publishers and the event organisers, help to make the LGF one of the most exhilarating and memorable festivals in the capital's calendar."
Keith Ramsdale Chairman, London Games Festival
The key events:
Video Games Live
Video Games Live is a multimedia concert celebrating some of the most recognisable hits from videogame soundtracks - from Pong to Zelda, Sonic to Final Fantasy. Combining cutting edge visuals and interactive technology with the English Chamber Orchestra and performances by co-creators Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, the event promises to be a real treat for music and gaming fans alike.
Video Games Live takes place October 24 with two performances at 4pm and 8pm.
Games 3.0
Games 3.0 aims to explore and address issues surrounding the growing global games market, including new business practises, new opportunities and new revenues streams for publishers and developers.
Confirmed speakers for the one day event, taking place October 27, include: Sony's Ray Maguire, Martyn Gibbs of Gamestation, ELSPA's Paul Jackson, Chris Bird of LoveFilm and Rick Alexander of Monumental Games.
Eurogamer Expo 2008
Europe's premier consumer gaming network is to host its first expo for consumers to get hands-on with titles due this Christmas and beyond, held over two days at the Old Truman Brewery, October 28-29.
Games already confirmed for the event include Resident Evil 5, Gears of War 2, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Killzone 2, Left 4 Dead and Street Fighter IV.
GamesIndustry.biz Career Fair
An opportunity for students, graduates and those seeking to further their careers in the games business to meet with the actively recruiting teams behind some of the best games on the market.
Exhibitors include Rebellion, Relentless, Realtime Worlds, Ubisoft Reflections, Sega Europe, THQ and Qantm College. The event takes place in the same venue and on the same dates as the Eurogamer Expo.
GamesIndustry.biz Network Bar
On the evening of Tuesday October 28, industry professionals are invited for drinks at the Old Truman Brewery, sponsored by Ubisoft. GamesIndustry.biz Network members gain free entry, with the bar open from 6pm for networking and socialising. We'll see you there.
GamesAid Poker Tournament
Proceeds of the GBP 50 buy-in for this poker night will go to GamesAid, which is reason enough to show up and flutter way your hard earned cash. Taking place on October 29, PKR will be sponsoring the event, offering up GBP 1000 in cash prizes.
Eighty seats are available, and those interested can sign up for the evening here.
BE THE ONE
Electronic Arts takes over Trafalgar Square once again to showcase its line-up of titles for 2008 and beyond, including Mirror's Edge, Rock Band 2 and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.
With the promise of celebrities and competitions, it's sure to be a packed event during half-term week. This free event takes place October 31 and November 1, with live music, console pods and hi-tech screens, and the Battledome for public gaming challenges.
The 2008 Golden Joysticks
Future Publishing and Virgin Media's big games awards returns for its 26th year, allowing the public to vote for their favourite games of the past 12 months.
The glitzy awards ceremony will this year be hosted by Frankie Boyle, and held at the Park Lane Hilton on October 31.
More information on these and other events taking place as part of London Games Festival is available on the official website.
Log-in to the GamesIndustry.biz Network to see who is attending these events and set up meetings.