City games festival returns after four-year hiatus

The festival includes dozens of stalls, workshops and free activities

A gaming festival has returned, four years after the Covid pandemic forced its cancellation.

Norwich Games Festival opened on Thursday at The Forum in Norwich city centre and will run until Saturday.

The festival features numerous stands with activities including workshops, industry talks, video gaming, and programming and community gaming groups.

Ellie Buchan, who produced the festival, said it was "fantastic" to offer families free activities during "this very wet half-term".

Thousands of people are expected at the three-day festival

Organisers say the festival is aimed at people of all ages

"The parents are loving the nostalgia of sharing the games of their childhood with their kids – from Mario Kart to Pac-Man," Ms Buchan said.

“Alongside free games and activities, we're also showcasing the best in new gaming, from immersive VR (virtual reality) to incredible cutting-edge games developed right here in Norwich and Norfolk.

“The feedback from all of our visitors and exhibitors has been wonderful. There’s been such a positive buzz in the building."

The festival was last held in March 2020, days before the UK went into lockdown due to Covid-19.

Gaming YouTuber and Norwich comedian Stuart Ashen was asked by Ms Buchan to deliver a talk

Students from Norwich University of the Arts, the lead partner of the festival, have been showcasing their work at the festival.

Associate Prof Mark Wickham, the university's director of computer, arts and technology said: "For us as educators and subject enthusiasts, this is a chance to showcase our work to the ever-growing community of game developers, players, and studios in the region; demonstrating exactly why Norwich is such a great place to make games."