Free festival of video games, board games and gaming workshops and talks at The Forum, in partnership with Norwich University of the Arts.
Norwich Games Festival returns to The Forum from Monday 31 May to Sunday 6 June 2027, a week-long celebration of all things games presented in partnership with Norwich University of the Arts. It's a broad church of a festival: video and computer games, tabletop and board games, and even physical gaming and activity, all drawing on the region's thriving games industry and the talent right here in Norwich.
The festival frames games through the 'Positive Power of Play' — the fun, creativity and cross-sector application of games technology viewed through a scientific lens, and why people should keep playing regardless of age. The programme runs from talks and workshops on how to make a game to interactive exhibitions on the science and psychology of play, with something for everyone from beginners and competitive players to industry professionals. Past favourites have included the Retro Game Cave, the Actual Reality Arcade and the tabletop Gaming Lounge, and the run-up has previously featured a Game Jam run by Game Anglia.
It's a good one for a few different kinds of visitor. If you're a gamer, there's the playing side of things; if you're interested in the craft, there's the making side; and if you're just curious about why we play in the first place, there's the science and psychology. Because it runs across a full week, you can drop in for a single session or spend a few days working your way through the different parts of the programme.
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The Forum is on Millennium Plain, NR2 1TF, and entry is free. The festival runs from Monday 31 May to Sunday 6 June 2027.
