London Games Festival aims to unite UK

The organisers of the London Games Festival have confirmed the first events taking place during the annual showcase, which runs from September 30 to November 4.

New director of the LGF Kirsty Payne said that she hopes the five-week event can successfully pull together consumer and trade, business and entertainment events to fully represent the vibrancy of the UK games sector.

"We really want London Games Festival to be a completely inclusive variety and diverse range of events," said Payne, director of the London Games Festival.

"By extending the event to run for just over a month, we‘ve been able to ensure a full and diverse programme - whether you‘re a consumer or working in the games industry; a hardcore player or someone who doesn‘t necessarily class themselves as a gamer."

The London Games Festival kicks off with the gala opening and VIP preview of the Eurogamer Expo on September 30, which then opens its doors on October 1 for three days, catering to 20,000 consumers at Earls Court.

There will also be a Eurogamer Expo party on October 1, with proceeds going to UK charities via GamesAid.

The Games Media Awards will take place October 14, honouring the best in videogame journalism, while the longest-running consumer-voted awards ceremony, The Golden Joysticks, will be held October 29.

Also kicking off on October 29 is the MCM Expo at Excel London, with 45,000 consumers expected for the entertainment event.

Developer group TIGA will host a one-day business summit looking at marketing and self-publishing on October 27, and the Festival will come to a close on November 4 with the London Games Conference, with sessions, panels and debate themed around survival and profit in a changing business.

Events at BAFTA, Great Ormond Street and Chessington World of Adventures are expected to be announced shortly, with more details available on the official website.