London Games Festival 2018

School holiday fun for all ages at the alternative Easter Parade, costume making sessions, game design workshops and much more…



This Easter holidays London is being turned into a haven of video games goodness with a 10-day festival (5th-15th April 2018) celebrating the best of the UK games industry. The London Games Festival includes many events and activities to keep the whole family entertained, including a dedicated family day on Saturday 14th April, comprising the ever-popular annual Games Character Parade, costume making workshops, a video game design workshop in association with BAFTA, and a chance to experience what gaming was like in Roman times.

Join Lara, Mario and more at the Games Character Parade The Games Character Parade is open to everyone – from newcomers looking for Easter fun to seasoned Cosplay contestants – and also includes official games characters and mascots. Billed as the closing event of the 10-day Festival across the capital, last year’s parade saw hundreds of people join the celebration.

Date: Saturday 14th April 2018

Times: 12:30pm start

Where: Guildhall Yard

This year’s parade will set off from Guildhall Yard and process through the City via St Paul’s Cathedral, New Change and Bow Lane before returning to the Yard for photo shoots and prizes.

Sign-ups are now live for this memorable moment happening in the last weekend of the London Games Festival, so grab your plumber overalls, superhero costume or explorer’s gear and get ready! More information can be found at www.games.london/parade2018/ (T&Cs apply – see link).

No Costume? No Problem! Superhero Mask and Boxhead Making Workshop If you don’t have a costume come early and make yourself a Superhero mask or Boxhead as part of the family activities that are taking place in Guildhall Art Gallery.

Date: Saturday 14th April

Times: 10:30-11:30 (before the parade starts)

13:45-15:30 (after the parade ends)

Where: Guildhall Art Gallery

Boxhead craft is simple idea that encourages children to happily abandon the console to craft and enjoy imaginative play, together or with the family. The boxheads mimic the iconic block characters from Minecraft. Children and the young at heart can design their own head using a simple template box and colouring pencils. http://boxheadcraft.com/

Visitors can also join artists Supergirl, aka Samia Tossio, and Iron Man, aka Simon Honey, and create their own character outfit crafts. Samia and Simon will provide the templates and materials needed to express people’s inner superhero, space invader or pac person using card or felt to make a mask, a cuff or a badge on a Games theme - the goods are all provided, all visitors need is a little imagination. Particularly tweens/young adult friendly and for those who like it a little retro with a range of Space Invaders, Pac Man and Ms Pac Man templates. https://www.samiart.co.uk/

Step Inside The Actual Reality Arcade Throughout the day in the Guildhall Yard will be a life-sized interactive game zone for all ages, inspired by classic arcade games. The Actual Reality Arcade enables visitors to bring their favourite games to life - pilot a spaceship across the galaxy and shoot down aliens in the Space Invaders gallery, dodge Donkey Kong’s barrels, whack a mole, build with giant Tetris blocks, or attempt the Marble Madness run.

Date: Saturday 14th April 2018

Times: 10:30-16:00

Where: Guildhall Yard

Fancy Designing A Video Game?

BAFTA will be in the Guildhall Art Gallery running workshops to help young visitors understand more about how to enter the BAFTA Young Games Designer Competition.

Date: Saturday 14th April 2018

Times: 10:30-11:45

14:00-16:00

Where: Guildhall Art Gallery

Drop in sessions take place between 10:30 – 11:45 and then 14:00-16:00. Sessions can be run for children and young people with additional learning needs. Learn tips and tricks on how to get involved in Game Concept and Game Making. Resources are aimed at encouraging 10-18 years old to enter the competition which closes April 25th (http://ygd.bafta.org/) and will provide all the information you’ll need on the game design process.

BAFTA will also be running one-to-one surgeries with games designers for young people who fancy a career in gaming. Between 14:00 – 16:00 there will be 10 x 10 minutes slots available to anyone aged 10-18 interested in game design. Attendees are invited to bring CVs, portfolios and/or games that they are currently working on to discuss with their expert. You are also welcome to attend to discuss career options in the games industry. Slots can be booked via https://www.universe.com/events/bafta-one-to-one-game-design-surgeries-tickets-XD4V30



Were Romans The First Gamers? Did you know the Guildhall Yard and Art Gallery are situated on what was once London’s Roman Amphitheatre – the original site of London’s games? To take you back to those early days, visit Gladiator Dan in the remains of the amphitheatre in the basement of the Gallery. He’ll be on hand between 10.30 – 11.30 and 14:00- 16:00 to talk about what life was like for a Gladiator, show you some sword tricks and even teach you to play some of the Empire’s more civilised games.

Date: Saturday 14th April 2018

Times: 10:30-11:30

14:00-16:00

Where: Guildhall Art Gallery Basement

For further information on the events, please visit the London Games Festivalwebsite.