It’s a question that has been often asked, and next Wednesday (16th May) at 6:30pm a panel at the BFI Southbank will finally and conclusively decide “What’s the point of videogames?”

Chaired by Lord David Puttnam, the panel will comprise comedian and author Charlie Higson, industry luminary Ian Livingstone OBE, Financial Times columnist Lucy Kellaway, broadcaster and former director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts Ekow Eshun, Helen Lewis of the New Statesman and Labour MP Tom Watson.

Following the debate, our very own Director Iain Simons will then unveil the jury for the GameCity Prize 2012.

“But what IS the GameCity Prize?” we hear the uninitiated cry! Well, the GameCity Prize is an award of international importance; one that’s contemporary, esteemed and provocative – creating an annual benchmark for one of the most significant cultural forms of our age and providing a mainstream entry point into videogame culture. It’s the Turner / Booker / Mercury Prize of the videogame world that sparks conversations about which game should have won, and ignites a broader, ongoing conversation about the role that gaming plays in 21st century culture.

Last year, Minecraft scooped the award at the very first ceremony, hosted by Tom Watson and crammed full with our best friends. Seats are VERY limited, but we’ll be giving away five pairs of tickets to Wednesday’s BFI event – just follow our Twitter ( @gamecity ) for details.

OpenGameCity

GameCitizens

20-27th October 2012

GAMECITY7!

We’re really happy to announce the first details of GameCity7, the return of the World’s best-loved videogame festival.

7!

This year’s festival will last an entire week (that’s seven days, but you probably got that already from the intro). From October 20-27, the festival runs for the entire half term week in a move guaranteed to bring smiles to bored children and exhausted parents.

Also, it’s (very nearly) completely free, and will feature the usual brilliant medley of games culture, movies, music, art, cake, fancy dress and dancing. Possibly no dancing.

GAMECITY STEAM SCHOOL!

The world’s very best school. Lasting the entire week, the GameCity STEAM School is open to everyone, from every walk of life, of any age, regardless of prior experience. Aiming to inspire just as much as teach, the focus will be on STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) with an inter-disciplinary focus. We mean it when we say it’s a school and as such will have assemblies, school trips, a school orchestra, class photo’s and a nit-nurse if required.

We’ve teamed up with some incredible partners to ensure the GameCity STEAM School is the best thing since Sonic learned the spin attack, including The Mozilla Foundation, The British Library, Crytek UK, TT Games and Nottingham’s Local Education Authority.

TEACHERS!

Since time immemorial, this word has held a certain level of power over those aged under 16, and can conjure memories capable of bringing down even the
strongest souls decades later. But no more! The GameCity STEAM School comes complete with its own very special guest Head Teachers. Confirmed so far, with many more to come, are Martin Hollis (Zoonami), Jonathan Smith (TT Games) and Anna Marsh (Lady Shotgun Games).

PETER MOLYNEUX’S BOOTCYCLE!

One of Britain’s most celebrated games designers and founder of new studio 22Cans takes over for an entire day, programming a series of events to celebrate and explore his time in the industry, from past and future projects to inspirations outside of games; films, music, art, literature, food and more.

FILMS!

We’ve teamed up with Broadway Cinema, local culture hotspot and one of the UK’s leading independent cinemas, to go beyond “games are just interactive films” debates to bring you what really matters; a true insight into this beautiful relationship. Running parallel to the festival, the silver screen goes from 8bit to full HD as a full programme of videogame inspired work takes over, complimented by a series of panel debates, Q&As, interactive events and guest programming from the festival headliners as they explore the impact cinema has had on their careers.

COMMODORE 64!

As part of the National Videogame Archive (another GameCity project; I know, we’re a busy lot, aren’t we?), GameCity will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the much loved 8bit computer by reuniting the team behind Zzap!64, the birth of UK games journalism, as they create a one-off, commemorative magazine alongside other C64 luminaries.

THE PRIZE!

The GameCityPrize is set to return after launching last year to international acclaim; the award will celebrate the cultural significance of the medium and instigate conversations among those outside the industry. At the British Film Institute on May 16, Lord Puttnam, Charlie Higson, Ekow Eshun, Ian Livingstone, Helen Lewis-Hasteley and Lucy Kellaway will debate the significance of games, as well as launch the Prize and announce this year’s jurors.

We’ll be announcing the winner of the Prize at a special event during festival week.

CARDBOARD!

Philippa Rice, the incredible talent behind the charming web comic My Cardboard Life, will help shape the festival in her own (cut out) image. Bringing a hand crafted approach to a world ruled by pixels, the week’s celebrations will have a truly unique identity.

So, that was our evening, how was yours? Yes, lots going on and that’s just the first round
of announcements. We’ve got a lot of brilliant things left to announce, so keep an eye on this site, Twitter and Facebook for more news on the very best way to spend a week in October!

Yes, the lights are on, the coffee machine is brewing and we’re now officially in festival mode. As you can see, the GameCity7 site dedicated to October’s festivities is alive and kicking.

So what can you expect?

See the festival take shape and get news as it breaks, get a personalised online and mobile schedule, and help guide the celebrations as you interact with events.

We really can’t wait to start sharing our news with you. The past seven years have been truly memorable; molecular gastronomy, zombie dancing, live Pac Man, we’ve done it all and more. Here’s to another fantastic festival!

It seems that IGN’s heart containers were full for the entirety of our Zelda Takeover Day.
We’re really pleased that so many people had a brilliant time celebrating all things Zelda. Thanks to the IGN team for discovering festival visitors who had stories to share, faces to paint, and who had travelled all the way from Italy!

Check out Keza’s report in the video below.