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About a month ago, we discussed a new gaming event that will be coming to Blackpool, UK called R3play. The organization has unveiled further details as to what to expect at the event, which amounts to an overdose of gaming goodness. Do you like consoles? They are promising over 300 of them from around the world (I wonder if they’ll have a NUON there – then I know they are serious). What about arcades? Retro games including pins are naturally expected to be at events like this but they are promising plenty of new content to offer thanks to the efforts of Kevin Williams Projects Ltd. and “leading arcade communities”. Classic computers will also have strong representation at the show so there will be something for everyone. Tickets are on sale now, you can get them at R3play.info. more details on the event can be found on that site or check out the press release below.
R3PLAY: Exciting new
Arcade, Retro & Video Gaming Expo heading to Blackpool!
For Immediate Release. 10 May 2010. Blackpool, United Kingdom.
R3PLAY (pronounced “Replay”) is a brand new show celebrating four decades of gaming history. Presented in association with Retro Gamer and gamesTM magazines, this unique event will offer gamers of all ages the chance to experience gaming systems from the 1970s to present day. Hosted by TV personality and videogame fanatic Gail Porter, the R3PLAY Expo will take place at the Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre in Blackpool on 6/7 November 2010 – the final weekend of this year’s famous Illuminations.
More than 300 systems will be available at R3PLAY comprising the finest possible selection of consoles, coin-ops and computers from all over the globe (with all machines set to free-play). Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in prize gaming competitions, listen to Q&A sessions with guest speakers, participate in workshops, view galleries of video game artwork, win fantastic raffle prizes, tender bids in a special auction and much, much more! Ticket holders will also be able to purchase games, systems, accessories and memorabilia via a number of specialist seller stands.
R3PLAY is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the “3 C’s”:
- CONSOLES: Ranging from the humble Atari 2600, through the SEGA vs Nintendo console wars of the 1990s, to the all-conquering behemoths that are the PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Video game consoles from all corners of the world will be showcased at R3PLAY allowing visitors to play on rare and obscure machines they may never see again!
- COIN-OPS: Arcade and Pinball Machines have captured the nation’s imagination since the first mass-produced classics of the 70s and 80s. R3PLAY not only looks at the retro classics, but thanks to the support of Kevin Williams Projects (KWP) Ltd and leading arcade communities, there will be plenty on offer for the new generation of arcade gamers, too.
- COMPUTERS: The UK was a world leader in 80s computing and R3PLAY will celebrate the diverse history of Acorn, Amstrad and Sinclair, as well as their international competitors such as Commodore and Atari. Furthermore, fans of PC-based gaming will be able to enjoy both the very latest releases, in addition to classics such as Commander Keen, Descent and the original, network version of Doom (Deathmatch, anyone?). The National Museum of Computing will also be on hand, raising awareness of computing history in the UK.
Prices are £12 for single-day entry and £20 for a weekend ticket, with concessions for families and under 14s. It is expected that the full allocation of tickets will be sold in advance through the dedicated website: www.R3PLAY.info
Organisers, the Computing & Gaming Events Union (CGEU) have already staged a number of arcade/video gaming and computing events, raising thousands of pounds for charitable causes in the process. At R3PLAY, the CGEU will be raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park.
R3PLAY presents a fantastic social networking environment for gamers, a perfect location for casual play as well as intense competition.
Further announcements regarding activities, sponsors/partners, lists of systems and special guests will be made over the coming weeks.
For press enquiries and sponsorship/advertising opportunities or for information about exhibiting at R3PLAY please email enquiries@cgeu.info.
BIOs
The Computing & Gaming Events Union is a non-profit group established in 2009. It brought together the organisers of many gaming and computing shows, with a view to improving the ease and efficiency in which future events could be staged. www.cgeu.info
Imagine Publishing is one of the UK’s fastest-growing consumer specialist publishers. Formed in May 2005, Imagine now publishes 20 regular magazines and 30 websites in the videogames, computing, entertainment, motoring and photography markets. www.imagine-publishing.co.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer; providing practical, medical and financial support and pushing for better cancer care. www.macmillan.org.uk
The National Museum of Computing, based at Bletchley Park, is dedicated to showing the development of computing in its broadest sense – from the pioneering war time efforts that resulted in Colossus to the products and systems we use today. www.tnmoc.org
