David Pleasance, Big Boy Barry, Mark Cale and Many More Join the Hottest Gaming Show of the Summer at the Norcalympia Exhibition Centre, Blackpool on July 15th & 16th
Replay Events, one of the UK’s premier gaming and event entertainment companies announced today an incredible line-up of special guests and events taking place at PLAY Expo Blackpool, a two-day gaming spectacular taking place at the Norcalympia Exhibition Centre, on July 15th and 16th.
Back for its sixth blockbuster year, PLAY Expo Blackpool is the UK’s longest running retro-game show and is crammed with features, exhibitors and even more video gaming mayhem than last years’ show. Returning with a best-ever roster of guests and events, PLAY Expo Blackpool is certain to delight gamers and visitors of all ages.
Big Boy Barry - Games World
From TV's ‘Games World’ we are pleased to confirm Videator, presenter and industry playboy ‘Big Boy Barry’ will be at PLAY Expo Blackpool all weekend. Big Boy Barry was the star of 1990s TV show ‘Games World’, which he hosted alongside David Walliams. The Big Boy will be taking part in a Q&A session about his time in the games industry, secrets from behind the scenes of the show as well as hosting some tournaments and taking part in a number of stage activities over the weekend.
Attendees Include:
David Pleasance - UK Managing Director – Commodore UK
The man responsible for steering the good ship Commodore in the UK as it launched the phenomenally popular Amiga home computer, David Pleasance, will be joining the show for a fascinating talk about his time in the industry and will take part in a Q&A afterwards. Knowing more than most about how gaming took hold of a nation, David will be certain to regale the audience with some amazing tales about the home computer wars of the 80’s and 90’s!
Mark Cale - System 3 Founder
Leading a software panel with surprise special guests, the legendary publisher System 3, headed my Mark Cale will be at PLAY Expo Blackpool this July. With hits such as The Last Ninja™, Myth™, International Karate™, Putty™, Constructor™ and Ferrari Challenge™, System 3 is recognised as one of the founding pioneers of the gaming industry. Mark and the team will take part in a Q&A session after the talk.
Gary Bracey - Ocean Software Director
Former Ocean Software Director Gary Bracey will be joining the event on Saturday July 15th. Gary will be chatting about his time at Ocean Software, throwing in some licencing anecdotes and will no doubt be name dropping some of the very interesting people he had the good fortune to meet and work with. He will also be talking about some of the more recent projects he has worked on and will open up a Q&A session afterwards.
Big Bagley - ZX Spectrum Next
Industry legend Jim Bagley is joining PLAY Expo Blackpool again this year to talk about the ZX Spectrum Next. Jim will be bringing along a next console to demo at the event. Fingers and toes crossed he will have a FINAL build board to show to visitors. After the talk, Jim will take part in a Q&A about his involvement with the Spectrum Next project.
Jon Stoodley - Charity World Record Attempt
Pacman World Record holder Jon Stoodley will be attending PLAY Expo Blackpool and will be attempting to set a new Pacman World Record on the 20th Anniversary Pacman arcade machine which allows players to continue through the famous split-screen board of level 256. Jon will be playing over the whole weekend at the event to raise money for a local charity: Blackpool Carers Centre. With your help, he can raise money and awareness for this special cause
Guests are just the start of what promises to be a weekend to remember! Those wanting to play the latest AAA blockbusters can lose themselves in the Next-Gen Gaming Zone or for those who prefer the Indie Gaming scene, PLAY Expo Blackpool brings a staggering array of indie games to the show including: All Contact Lost, MaoMaos Castle and Hyper Sentinel.
What would Blackpool be without arcade machines?! PLAY Expo Blackpool will be scratching the arcade itch, and are incredibly excited to have not one, but two large hydraulic sit-down cabinets from Sega in addition to an amazing 80 original arcade cabinets all set to free play. In addition, the show will also play host to an impressive selection of original pinball machines to play.
Famous for its world-class retro-gaming, PLAY Expo Blackpool will feature 20% more retro action than last years’ show, featuring over 150 consoles and computers to play! From Pong to PS3™ the show boasts every conceivable gaming machine from the past 35 years!
If you fancy your chances, guests are invited to take part in one of our many gaming tournaments taking place throughout the weekend at PLAY Expo Blackpool. Take part in Trading Card tournaments, hone your skills on the retro delights of Mario Kart 64 or play to win on Tekken 7, there really is something for everyone!
Virtual Reality arrives at PLAY Expo Blackpool, with a selection of games dedicated to warping your reality and tricking your mind. PSVR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Microsoft Hololens will all be available to try at the event.
The Escape Room Centre run jaw-dropping 4D Escape Games. The team will be at PLAY Expo Blackpool, bringing along some small interactive puzzles to show how their games work and offer a chance to win a free session at the centre in Blackpool!
Fans of Cosplay will be pleased to hear that PLAY Expo Blackpool will be hosting a number of events on our main stage. Including a Cosplay Masquerade running on both days where visitors have the chance to win prizes for the best characters as chosen by our panel of judges!
Those who wish to shop until they drop will be well catered for at the show! PLAY Expo Blackpool plays host to stacks of stalls selling classic games, modern games, gaming merchandise, retro toys or even custom-made artwork!
The ever-popular Minecraft area returns to PLAY Expo Blackpool. The LAN team will be on hand running a Hunger Games™ inspired map, a survival map and a creative map throughout the weekend, and those favouring the classic board game will be pleased to note that Esdevium Games will be attending and demonstrating a selection of popular games.
Courtesy of PLAY Expo sponsors Logitech, the LAN Gaming Zone features popular classics such as Quake and Command & Conquer and comes kitted out with the very latest gaming keyboards and mice.
Sponsored by Harmonix, the Rhythm Zone offers guests the opportunity to get their groove on with the best music and rhythm-action based games from all over the world, featuring classics such as Donkey Konga and Parappa the Rapper.
Photo Shoots at PLAY Expo Blackpool allow you to place yourself in the heart of the gaming action, transporting you into your favourite game as well as offering the opportunity to snap yourselves with special guests and various gaming characters including Pikachu!
Andy Brown, Director for Replay Events commented, “Back for its sixth year, it’s clear to see that PLAY Expo Blackpool is fast becoming an unmissable event on the UK gaming calendar. Our sheer wealth of content, world-class special guests and unmissable interactive action provide superb value for gamers of all ages and we look forward to delivering another memorable weekend of gaming.”
Tickets are on-sale now at www.playexpoblackpool.com and start at just £10 for children under 16.
*Replay Events are unable to guarantee attendance of any special guest
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| Big Boy Barry - Games World |
Back for its sixth blockbuster year, PLAY Expo Blackpool is the UK’s longest running retro-game show and is crammed with features, exhibitors and even more video gaming mayhem than last years’ show. Returning with a best-ever roster of guests and events, PLAY Expo Blackpool is certain to delight gamers and visitors of all ages.
Big Boy Barry - Games World
From TV's ‘Games World’ we are pleased to confirm Videator, presenter and industry playboy ‘Big Boy Barry’ will be at PLAY Expo Blackpool all weekend. Big Boy Barry was the star of 1990s TV show ‘Games World’, which he hosted alongside David Walliams. The Big Boy will be taking part in a Q&A session about his time in the games industry, secrets from behind the scenes of the show as well as hosting some tournaments and taking part in a number of stage activities over the weekend.
Attendees Include:
David Pleasance - UK Managing Director – Commodore UK
The man responsible for steering the good ship Commodore in the UK as it launched the phenomenally popular Amiga home computer, David Pleasance, will be joining the show for a fascinating talk about his time in the industry and will take part in a Q&A afterwards. Knowing more than most about how gaming took hold of a nation, David will be certain to regale the audience with some amazing tales about the home computer wars of the 80’s and 90’s!
Mark Cale - System 3 Founder
Leading a software panel with surprise special guests, the legendary publisher System 3, headed my Mark Cale will be at PLAY Expo Blackpool this July. With hits such as The Last Ninja™, Myth™, International Karate™, Putty™, Constructor™ and Ferrari Challenge™, System 3 is recognised as one of the founding pioneers of the gaming industry. Mark and the team will take part in a Q&A session after the talk.
Gary Bracey - Ocean Software Director
Former Ocean Software Director Gary Bracey will be joining the event on Saturday July 15th. Gary will be chatting about his time at Ocean Software, throwing in some licencing anecdotes and will no doubt be name dropping some of the very interesting people he had the good fortune to meet and work with. He will also be talking about some of the more recent projects he has worked on and will open up a Q&A session afterwards.
Big Bagley - ZX Spectrum Next
Industry legend Jim Bagley is joining PLAY Expo Blackpool again this year to talk about the ZX Spectrum Next. Jim will be bringing along a next console to demo at the event. Fingers and toes crossed he will have a FINAL build board to show to visitors. After the talk, Jim will take part in a Q&A about his involvement with the Spectrum Next project.
Jon Stoodley - Charity World Record Attempt
Pacman World Record holder Jon Stoodley will be attending PLAY Expo Blackpool and will be attempting to set a new Pacman World Record on the 20th Anniversary Pacman arcade machine which allows players to continue through the famous split-screen board of level 256. Jon will be playing over the whole weekend at the event to raise money for a local charity: Blackpool Carers Centre. With your help, he can raise money and awareness for this special cause
Guests are just the start of what promises to be a weekend to remember! Those wanting to play the latest AAA blockbusters can lose themselves in the Next-Gen Gaming Zone or for those who prefer the Indie Gaming scene, PLAY Expo Blackpool brings a staggering array of indie games to the show including: All Contact Lost, MaoMaos Castle and Hyper Sentinel.
What would Blackpool be without arcade machines?! PLAY Expo Blackpool will be scratching the arcade itch, and are incredibly excited to have not one, but two large hydraulic sit-down cabinets from Sega in addition to an amazing 80 original arcade cabinets all set to free play. In addition, the show will also play host to an impressive selection of original pinball machines to play.
Famous for its world-class retro-gaming, PLAY Expo Blackpool will feature 20% more retro action than last years’ show, featuring over 150 consoles and computers to play! From Pong to PS3™ the show boasts every conceivable gaming machine from the past 35 years!
If you fancy your chances, guests are invited to take part in one of our many gaming tournaments taking place throughout the weekend at PLAY Expo Blackpool. Take part in Trading Card tournaments, hone your skills on the retro delights of Mario Kart 64 or play to win on Tekken 7, there really is something for everyone!
Virtual Reality arrives at PLAY Expo Blackpool, with a selection of games dedicated to warping your reality and tricking your mind. PSVR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Microsoft Hololens will all be available to try at the event.
The Escape Room Centre run jaw-dropping 4D Escape Games. The team will be at PLAY Expo Blackpool, bringing along some small interactive puzzles to show how their games work and offer a chance to win a free session at the centre in Blackpool!
Fans of Cosplay will be pleased to hear that PLAY Expo Blackpool will be hosting a number of events on our main stage. Including a Cosplay Masquerade running on both days where visitors have the chance to win prizes for the best characters as chosen by our panel of judges!
Those who wish to shop until they drop will be well catered for at the show! PLAY Expo Blackpool plays host to stacks of stalls selling classic games, modern games, gaming merchandise, retro toys or even custom-made artwork!
The ever-popular Minecraft area returns to PLAY Expo Blackpool. The LAN team will be on hand running a Hunger Games™ inspired map, a survival map and a creative map throughout the weekend, and those favouring the classic board game will be pleased to note that Esdevium Games will be attending and demonstrating a selection of popular games.
Courtesy of PLAY Expo sponsors Logitech, the LAN Gaming Zone features popular classics such as Quake and Command & Conquer and comes kitted out with the very latest gaming keyboards and mice.
Sponsored by Harmonix, the Rhythm Zone offers guests the opportunity to get their groove on with the best music and rhythm-action based games from all over the world, featuring classics such as Donkey Konga and Parappa the Rapper.
Photo Shoots at PLAY Expo Blackpool allow you to place yourself in the heart of the gaming action, transporting you into your favourite game as well as offering the opportunity to snap yourselves with special guests and various gaming characters including Pikachu!
Andy Brown, Director for Replay Events commented, “Back for its sixth year, it’s clear to see that PLAY Expo Blackpool is fast becoming an unmissable event on the UK gaming calendar. Our sheer wealth of content, world-class special guests and unmissable interactive action provide superb value for gamers of all ages and we look forward to delivering another memorable weekend of gaming.”
Tickets are on-sale now at www.playexpoblackpool.com and start at just £10 for children under 16.
*Replay Events are unable to guarantee attendance of any special guest