Is there a UK classic game expo or similar show?

[Turnarcades]

I've been wondering for a while now and after looking at a few reels on youtube thought I'd ask around - Are there any classic gaming shows or expos held in the UK like the ones held in America? I'd love to go to one or even get together with some arcade heads in the UK about hosting/creating one so that British gamers can get a slice of classic gaming.

It might not be as grand a venue as the NEC but something held centrally would be perfect maybe even for European gamers too. I'm sure most of these shows are contribution-based and I know there are some big collectors this side of the pond who hopefully would be willing to come and demo their collections of arcade/pinball/console games and memorabilia.

[maxmix]

Never heard of any, I'd be interested too !

maxmix

[RecklessAbandon]

there was one a few years ago called game on.
i have a couple of promotional postcards for it


http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=4964

looks like it tours all over the place. might be worth keeping an eye on it for any future dates

Future venues:
State Library of Queensland, Australia 17 Nov 08 - 15 Feb 09

Past venues:
Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne, Australia 6 Mar - 13 Jul 08
Cyberport, Hong Kong, China 21 July – 7 Oct 07
Science Museum London, UK 20 Oct 06 - 25 Feb 07
Pacific Science Centre, Seattle, USA 26 May - 31 Aug 06
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, USA 1 Feb – 27 Apr 06
The Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, California, USA 30 Sep 05 - 2 Jan 06
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, USA 4 Mar – 5 Sep 05
Eretz Israel Museum , Israel 26 Sep 04 – 1 Jan 05
Lille Festival of Culture 2004 France 19 May – 8 Aug 04
Helsinki City Art Museum , Finland 18 Sep – 14 Dec 03
Tilburg Art Foundation, Holland 28 May – 24 Aug 03
The Royal Museum at the National Museum of Scotland, UK 17 Oct 02 – 2 Feb 03
Barbican Art Gallery, London, UK 16 May -15 Sept 02

[grantspain]

talk about timing
I am co-organiser for INSERT COIN 09 to be held in Northampton(northampton saints rugby club) U.K July 18/19th,everything is almost in place and I was due to make an announcement here in the next few weeks but as this has been posted I thought why not now.
The show is based around arcade video although pinballs will also feature.I will post more info in the coming weeks.
All arcade vids will be catered for whether it be mame,candy,classic or dedicated.
There will be machines for sale,parts suppliers,tech demonstrations,competitions etc,etc
and we expect some new gear to be shown by a few major manufacturers.

The website for the show is due to go live any time now,
http://www.insertcoin-09.com/

I was actually gonna contact Turnarcades in due time to discuss whether you would be interested in a sales pitch or contributing in some other way.

We intend to create an annual event which in time we expect to be the biggest arcade based show outside of Japan.

Anyone interested in more information can either keep an eye on the website or PM me here

[Turnarcades]

there was one a few years ago called game on.
i have a couple of promotional postcards for it


http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=4964

looks like it tours all over the place. might be worth keeping an eye on it for any future dates

It seems a bit too 'arty' to really be an expo, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

How come a supposed 'UK exhibition' as they describe it has only 1 location in the UK in the last 5 years? Not being bad, but the exhibits on offer seem a bit too few for what this hobby deserves. I remember attending Gamesmaster Live in 1992(?) at the NEC and it was a massive show with all the current consoles, latest games releases, competitions, arcade machines, stalls selling rare goods as well as brilliant exhibits and trade stands.

With all the popular consoles of that time, plus about 35 years of gaming history altogether, I'd envisage one hell of a show. Something like this;

3-day show, £5-10 entry, entire themed arcade section set up with classic-themed flyers, posters, arcade signs etc, and all the collector's arcade and pinball machines set up for free play, home built arcade showcase section, classic video game consoles (playable) section, classic rarities exhibits (non-playable), trade stalls (classic game developers with guest speakers and limited new product plugs), game tournaments with prizes on a main stage, classic era memorabilia (70's, 80's, 90's toys etc.), a 'laser quest' type section, sellers stalls, rare goods, live cabinet restoration stage, home builder's training/advice section with a live build, food stalls, 'bar section' with quiz machines, bull riding, barfly, pool tables etc.

It could be a hell of a show if it pans out the way I picture it

[Turnarcades]

Just saw your reply grant, sorry was half way through that other one!

This sounds fantastic! I've just signed up to the website so could you please approve it for me so I can check out the website? I'm definitely interested in attending, and I'm sure I could put together some kind of stand for Turnarcades if I know what to expect from the show.

How come the website is only viewable to people who sign up?

[grantspain]

the website is not actually live yet,we are still putting things together.it should be all up and running within the next 2 weeks
not sure why you have to sign up,i will ask for you
its probably because they are running tests

tbh i have probably been a bit previous by posting this info now but when i saw the post and also(sadly) i am so excited about the show,perhaps i should have waited a few more days
I think everything will be in place after the ATEI at the end of the month.

[andy p]

I remember a show on in Croydon, South London a few years back.  I think it was at the Novotel.  I'm sure Andy from Ultimarc was there.  It might be worth dropping him a line as he might have some more details on more recent / up coming events.

Come to think of it I seem to remember an article in Retro Gamer of a more recent event.  I'll see if I can dig it out.

[andy p]

I should add these shows were predominantly computer - Spectrum, Commodore, BBC etc and Retro Console Based but I'm sure Andy was there selling his wares too!