GameCity
Annual international festival launches this October
6th July 2006, Nottingham, UK. IT'S BEING HAILED as a new kind
of interactive entertainment festival. In just the same way
that we have music, arts and films festivals celebrating these
cultures; videogames and interactive entertainment will now
have its own dedicated festival - Game City. GameCity will be a
street-level cultural celebration of videogames and interactive
entertainment. It's also an opportunity for the games industry
and public to meet and explore economic, social and educational
opportunities within interactive entertainment. As the launch
event takes place in Nottingham during half-term week, 25th -
29th October, it's hoped that for the first time, a whole city
will be given the opportunity to play games together. "The
interactive entertainment world is more sophisticated than
ever" says Iain Simons, Director of GameCity. "With the arrival
of next generation consoles and handhelds more people of than
ever before will become involved with games of one sort or
another. GameCity will entertain, inform and educate
individuals, industry and the public sector on the value and
the potential of interactive entertainment for everyone. With
the phenomenal growth in this sector, we believe it's the right
time for the industry to start challenging itself in this way."
Jonathan Smith, co-founder of TT Games believes the event will
encourage more diversity within the industry. "The GameCity
initiative brings together the broadest possible group of
people who can shape the future of interactive entertainment,
from industry professionals to young children; the game-makers
of tomorrow. Making this exciting digital world accessible to
such a wide audience, in a fresh and imaginative context,
creates a real platform to extend opportunity and catalyse
innovation. Most importantly, it'll be a huge amount of fun for
everyone involved, showcasing the power of gaming in an
engaging and energizing way." Organisers have confirmed that
the festival will include debates, seminars and workshops
exploring all aspects of the interactive entertainment
industry. There will be entertainment and cultural events for
families of all ages including digital arts, European premiere
film screenings, game screenings and art exhibitions. including
the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts' esteemed exhibition
'Into The Pixel' which will be making its European debut at the
event. "We are thrilled that Into The Pixel will be showcased
at this event." says Nichol Bradford, Into The Pixel Co-Chair
and Global Director of Strategic Growth. "Our mission is to
celebrate video game art and showcase game artists'
contribution to the art repertoire beyond games. As the only
exhibition in the world that brings together the fine art
establishment and video game worlds to examine the artistry of
games, GameCity's European location and expected importance
contributes to our mission by taking the conversation on video
game art global." A further objective of the event is to
provide a platform for exploring the development of the East
Midlands as a centre for the interactive games industry. The
region already boasts five major studios, internationally award
winning products and is the birthplace of Lara Croft. ENDS
Notes to editors High resolution GameCity logos are available.
For further media information on GameCity: Alison Beasley,
Lincoln Beasley PR, Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk - M: +44 (0)
7966 449130 T: +44 (0) 1608 645756
