A look ahead to this weekend's Gamecity 6, as Europe's biggest videogame festival returns with a line-up that brings together some of the biggest international names in gaming.
Now entering its sixth year, Europe's biggest videogame festival Gamecity returns with a line-up that brings together some of the biggest international names in gaming, the best up-and-coming developers, the most hotly anticipated indie releases, and a whole lot of zombies. Based in Nottingham's Old Market Square and running from 26th-29th October, Gamecity does videogame festivals like you've never seen them before. Taking over Nottingham's city centre and laying on a host of mostly free events throughout the half term, the festival goes way beyond just playing games: previous events have included art exhibitions, director commentaries, playground building, live recreations of videogames, gigs, gong-shows, three World Record achievements, arcade trails and club nights. As well as getting its hands on some cracking pre-release indie titles (including playable sessions of Fez from Polytron co-founder Phil Fish, the HD remake of Oddworld title Stranger's Wrath and thatgamecompany's interactive game experience Journey), the festival also features interviews, talks and Q&As with esteemed game developers and designers. A keynote from Naughty Dog's lead game designer Richard Lemarchand introduces fans to the latest installment in the tomb raid- I mean, treasure hunting franchise Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception; Jakub Dvorsky, founder of Animata Design will be unveiling their new titles Samorost 3 and Botanicula; and festivities kicked off on Wednesday with an entire day curated by game design legend and Another World creator Eric Chahi (the molecular gastronomy experience My Dinner With Eric was apparently particularly wonderful). The last two days of the festival are also themed: Fear Friday adds some Halloween celebrations to the mix, as Gamecity devotes a day to horror-themed games, books and films. Comedian and zombie horror writer Charlie Higson will be reading from his new novel The Fear, while screenwriter James Moran (who already carries Torchwood, Dr Who and Severance credits under his belt) will be doing a Q&A on the upcoming Brit horror Cockneys vs Zombies (yes, I'm also intrigued). After dark, bonkers game club The Wild Rumpus will be offering refuge from the impending zombie apocalypse. After a spectacular launch at London's 93 Feet East back in September, the Rumpus will be bringing its collaborative drink-fuelled gameplay to the Chameleon Bar on Friday for a night of indie gaming shananigans. Saturday is dedicated to all things Zelda, and WhatCulture will be there as the festival celebrates 25 years of the imperilled princess with a Legend of Zelda Takeover. The Old Market Square will be transformed into a Hyrulean village, complete with the chance to have a play on a real-life ocarina in the Ocarina Orchestra or wind down in the LonLon Milk Bar. Gamecity will also be going for its next Guinness World Record attempt (and putting our button-bashing skills to shame) as 6 hardcore Zelda fans attempt the Zelda Canon Speed Run World Record: playing through all 15 games, from The Legend of Zelda to Twilight Princess, as a six-person tag team. The festival closes with the presentation of the newly-launched Gamecity Prize. Judged by a roster of creative industry specialists headed by the Southbank Centre's artistic director Jude Kelly, the prize will be presented at an exclusive award ceremony on Saturday evening. The short-list of contenders for the award itself are a microcosm of the festival's inclusive and expansive attitude to videogame culture, with games including Portal 2, Limbo, Minecraft and (ahem) Pokemon Black vying for the coveted award.