Blackpool games festival set to open in London

Andy Brown, who runs the Play Expo events which has a regular slot at Blackpool’s Norbreck Castle, has launched his first event in London.

His company Replay Games is to stage the UK’s largest arcade, indie and retro gaming show at London’s Printworks over the weekend of August 11, where thousands of visitors are expected.

His events allow computer games enthusiasts to play hundreds of games from the early days of video games, console from the arcades, pinball machines and modern day classics such as Minecraft and Halo in a virtual who’s who of gaming classics through the ages.

It also has a cosplay parade where fans dress up in elaborate costumes to win prizes and panels from games industry creators.

The events began in Andy’s hometown of Blackpool where he realised there was great demand to play the old games once found in the seaside arcades.

He then established similar festivals in Manchester and now runs 11 sell out events and game markets throughout the year in such places as Bristol, Glasgow and Leeds as well as Amsterdam and Jakarta.

Andy said: “We are super excited to be bringing PLAY Expo to the capital for the first time, the Printworks is the ideal venue for our iconic event.

"We all remember the games we have loved and treasured over the years. PLAY Expo allows you to revisit your favourites, introduce them to the next generation and discover something new.”