Norwich University of the Arts sponsors Norwich Games Festival
The much-loved Norwich Games Festival (NGF) is making a grand return to The Forum from Thursday, 30 May to Saturday, 1 June.
With an exciting programme of events, workshops, talks, and free interactive activities, this festival promises something for everyone, from committed gamers to curious beginners.
Presented by The Forum and lead partner Norwich University of the Arts, the Norwich Games Festival provides a unique opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in the world of gaming. Highlights include hands-on gameplay with retro arcades and fully immersive VR experiences, as well as industry-focused events ranging from workshops to networking sessions.
Returning to Norwich for the first time in four years, NGF is set to delight visitors with a wide array of activities. Attendees can explore various aspects of gaming, including art, storytelling, coding, and design. Norwich University students will also be showcasing their impressive work throughout the festival.
Associate Professor Mark Wickham, Director of Computer, Arts, and Technology at Norwich University of the Arts, 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.”
Festival Producer Ellie Buchan added: “I am thrilled to be working on this fantastic festival, which brings together all the fun of playing games whilst also focusing on the creative and technical aspects of creating them. There will be some festival favourites, such as the retro arcade, but I am also excited to announce that there will be some festival firsts… we’re having a game jam, where brand new games will be created in the build-up to the event, and fully playable during the three days!”
From 10am to 4pm daily, The Forum’s main Atrium will be bustling with stalls and stands, offering interactive fun including hands-on video game testing and gameplay, arts and crafts, and exclusive early looks at games in development. Visitors will also have the chance to interact with game developers and gain insights into careers in gaming from local colleges and representatives from Norwich University of the Arts.
The Gallery will host a Retro Games Arcade, featuring rare and family-favourite consoles like the Phillips CDI, Atari 7800, Amiga 1200, BBC Micro, C64, MSX 2, Neo Geo CD, and GameCube, along with an esports competition. Additionally, ticketed events will include a Board Game Design Masterclass, the live comedy gameshow WiFi Wars, and a classic video game quiz.
Ticketed events include a Board Game Design Masterclass, a live comedy gameshow WiFi Wars and a classic video game quiz. The festival’s inspiring programme is filled with workshops and classes, offering valuable upskilling and training opportunities from industry experts, ideal for those aspiring to build a career in games.
Norwich Games Festival invites people of all ages to explore the creativity, art, and fun in games. With activities for families and exclusive events for adults, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
For more information, visit: norwichgamesfestival.co.uk
Norwich Games Festival is presented by The Forum, in partnership with lead partners Norwich University of the Arts, and with the support of Connected Innovation and Norfolk County Council.
Related News
-
BA Animation •Success for Norwich Graduates at Royal Television Society East Student Awards
Norwich students were nominated across seven categories, with Henry Schwind, a graduate from BA (Hons) Film and Moving Image Production, winning the Craft – Camerawork category. -
East Gallery •Culture in Norwich: East Gallery
Claire Allerton, East Gallery Curator, discusses everything our city-centre art space has to offer – and why a visit to Olivia Sterling’s Pity the Meat! exhibition is a must this spring. -
Alumni •Norwich ranked in QS World University Rankings for Art and Design
Norwich University of the Arts has been ranked in the 201–300 band globally for Art and Design in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, marking its first-ever inclusion in the internationally recognised ranking. -
MA Communication Design •In conversation with: Bevan Dolon, MA Communication Design
Bevan shares his design influences, creative practice and experience studying a postgraduate degree at Norwich University of the Arts. -
East Gallery •Sterling vs Bacon: Artists in dialogue in Olivia Sterling’s Pity the Meat! Exhibition
Pity the Meat! sees artist Olivia Sterling’s work in dialogue with the 1959 Francis Bacon painting, Two Figures in a Room. Eddy Frankel, art critic and former art and culture editor for Time Out, explores what brings them together – and sets them apart. -
BA Animation •Access and representation in a changing landscape: How women can shape the future of computer arts and technology
Access and representation remain central issues for the computer arts and technology industries. Helen Piercy, Animation Lecturer at Norwich, explores the opportunities emerging for graduates in a rapidly changing landscape. -
Institution •Director of Research Development collaborates with TED-Ed on new animation
Professor Alison Goodrum worked with the TED-Ed team to develop the short film which explores the history of hats. -
Institution •Norwich University of the Arts showcases institutional and research achievements to Research England
The University was delighted to welcome representatives from Research England, to share key institutional and research developments. -
Institution •Norwich appoints new Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Norwich University of the Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Wright as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor. -
BA Textile Design •In conversation with: Lucy Perry, MA Textile Design
Lucy shares her experience of creating a 360° digital installation, in a collaborative exploration of nature and technology. -
Institution •Norwich University of the Arts earns prestigious 5-star QS Star Excellence rating fo Teaching
Norwich University of the Arts has been awarded an overall four-star rating in the prestigious QS Stars University Ratings, marking a significant milestone in the University’s first-ever submission to the internationally recognised assessment framework. -
Employability •Norwich University of the Arts celebrates 10 years of the Big Book Crit
Hundreds of Norwich students have shared their work with leading creative professionals over the last decade. -
East Gallery •Announcing the East Gallery Fellows 2025-2026
Norwich University of the Arts is pleased to announce the selected awardees of this year's East Gallery Fellowship. -
BA Business Management •Dean of Creative Education Awarded Prestigious Principal Fellowship from Advance HE
The University is delighted to announce that Hilary Carlisle, Dean of Creative Education and Professor of Design, has been awarded Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) by Advance HE -
BA Degree •Norwich University of the Arts to Host ELIA Academy 2027
Norwich University of the Arts is delighted to announce that it has been selected as the host institution for the ELIA Academy 2027. -
BA Business Management •In conversation with Norwich’s newest lecturers in Marketing and Business Management
We joined Norwich's newest lecturers, Stephen Balmer-Walters and Laurie McAllister, to find out more about the University's Marketing and Business Management courses.
Related courses
- Showing 1-2 of 3 results
-
-
Undergraduate
-
Full time
-
September
-
Games Art and Design
Games Art and Design BA (Hons)
Explore and develop your skills of current game studio pipelines and be part of a collaborative, supportive department.
-
-
-
Undergraduate
-
Full time
-
September
-
Games Development
Games Development BSc (Hons)
Love working with code and see yourself as a technical problem solver with a passion for games?
-
