Almost 400 games represented across the capital during 5 April to 15 April London Games Festival
Mix of consumer and business events to drive over 50,000 people to events all over the city
Festival is making London a global destination of games industry with investors in town ready to spend £500m on potential deals
London will become the games capital of the world next month when the London Games Festival arrives in the city from 5 April to 15 April.
Delivered by Games London, the festival is expected to attract over 50,000 people across a mix of 40 public events for consumers and industry professionals in a programme that covers mobile, PC and indie games, VR and AR, esports, and fun and fascinating new forms of interactive entertainment.
The London Games Festival will also provide a huge boost to the city’s fast-growing games development industry, with investors with spending power of over £500m between them in town to hear pitches and do deals.
In all, nearly 400 games will be represented across the 10 days, making the London Games Festival the world’s biggest celebration of video games and interactive entertainment.
The London Games Festival is organized by Games London, a partnership between the capital’s screen industries agency Film London and games trade body Ukie, supported by the Mayor of London’s London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP).
Headline activity during the London Games Festival includes:
Trafalgar Square Games Festival, Saturday, 7 April: A free, one-day event in the heart of London taking over the iconic landmark, allowing anyone to come and play against pro gamers or experience the latest innovations in online and augmented reality games.
Now Play This, Friday 6 April to Sunday, 8 April: This three-day festival at Somerset House showcases an array of installations, games, drawings and experiments that provoke thought and challenge what games can be.
Ensemble, starting Monday, 9 April: An exhibition highlighting the work done by games industry creatives from BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) backgrounds, focusing on eight individuals.
LGF HUB, Monday, 9 April & Tuesday, 10 April: Brand new for 2018 this business-to-business event houses a series of agenda-setting summits and keynotes plus an exhibition Demo Zone of new and upcoming games.
Games Finance Market, Tuesday 10 April to Thursday 12 April: Where investors meet developers making the next big hit, the Finance Market will connect 60 creators with 60 funders that have over £500m ready to invest in new games.
Games Character Parade, Saturday 14 April: Running in the City of London, this parade of cosplay and costumed characters is open to all, supported by a family day of fun activities
Major partner events are also taking place during the London Games Festival:
Future Tech Now & Virtual Reality Show London, Thursday 5 April to Saturday 7 April: Not a traditional trade show, focusing on cutting edge tech across different industries – including a AR & VR Gaming Arcade
BAFTA Games Awards, Thursday 12 April: The British Academy Games Awards is BAFTA’s annual celebration of excellence in games, shining a spotlight on the very best titles of the past year and the talented individuals behind them.
EGX Rezzed, Friday 13 April to Sunday 15 April: Rezzed is the biggest single games event in London, featuring hundreds of screens featuring the very best console and PC games weeks or months before they’re released.
All of that is underpinned by the London Games Festival Fringe, a series of 20+ alternative and community-organized events including classic retro game nights and board game clubs, museum treasure hunts, games themed comedy nights, and a games jam to support Women’s Aid.
The full program can be found at www.games.london .
The London Games Festival is backed by a host of supporters and sponsors who share Games London’s vision to make the city the games capital of the world – these include Events DC, the British Council, Moneycorp, Moore Stephens and Starling Bank.
For more information on the London Games Festival visit www.games.london .