GameCity 6 Event Preview

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.

By Emma O'Sullivan /

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 €œFez€ from Polytron co-founder Phil Fish, the HD remake of Oddworld title €œStranger's Wrath€ and thatgamecompany's interactive game experience €œJourney€), 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 €œSamorost 3€ and €œBotanicula€; and festivities kicked off on Wednesday with an entire day curated by game design legend and €œAnother World€ creator Eric Chahi (the €œmolecular gastronomy€ experience My Dinner With Eric was apparently particularly wonderful). The last two days of the festival are also themed: €œFear 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 €œThe 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 €œCockneys 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.