PRESS RELEASE
- Virgin Media Games Space created for games players and developers
- Oculus Rift and Cello Fortress to showcase latest innovation
- Superfast 1Gb broadband powers new hub on Silicon Roundabout
Virgin Media is creating a pop-up games hub in the heart of London's technological innovation, Silicon Roundabout¹, to champion the future of British gaming. The Virgin Media Games Space will be powered by the company's superfast broadband, providing speeds of up to 1Gb, and will include a stellar line-up of games to play, industry talks to inspire and workshops to help create the next generation of gaming developers.
Games curator and event producer David Hayward is overseeing the creation of the space to provide a environment for gamers and budding developers of all ages to come play, learn and develop their digital skills. The free Virgin Media Games Space will open its doors to the public on 27th August until 21st September, and the best parts will also be available for visitors to enjoy at this year's Eurogamer Expo.
The British video gaming industry is a valuable contributor to the national economy and considered an area of growth with some of the world's largest franchises already developed here, as well as strong communities of independent game developers. With gaming high on Government agenda, measures are being introduced to help develop programming skills as part of the national curriculum. Virgin Media Games Space is celebrating this welcome news by offering gamers a glimpse of the future and helping wannabe developers build it.
Virgin Media has a track record of championing undiscovered talent and now, after the success of last year's 100 Day Game Project which saw a winning team of students from Essex University create and launch ‘Super-Fluid' as an Android and iOS app in just 100 days, has invested to help even more raw talent hidden amongst the gaming community.
All visitors will have the opportunity to experience the latest in virtual reality gaming courtesy of Oculus Rift, plus have a chance to test yet-to-be-released indie titles such as Super Pole Riders, There Shall be Lancing and Krautscape.
Some Virgin Media Games Space highlights include:
- Week 1 - Lifelites² Game Jam a 24-hour developer session to produce games for children with limited mobility
- Week 2 - Cello Fortress showcase
- Week 3 - New Sony Computer Entertainment tiles, Beyond: Two Souls (PS3), Tearaway (PS Vita)
- Week 4 - Arcade Jam - Games collectives and artists from all over Europe will come together to build DIY arcade machines and games. See the results at VMGS, all week from September 17th - 21st
Richard Larcombe, director of advertising and sponsorship at Virgin Media said: "We're excited to be able to provide a space where anyone can come and play games all day long but also where visitors can come and learn or be inspired by experienced developers from across the industry.
"The digital world is creating incredible job opportunities as well as entertainment for people and the rise of the British gaming industry is something to be proud of. This is going to be a unique place for people to use who've got the same passion for gaming we have. Whether it's to debate, develop, or push the boundaries of new technologies, Virgin Media Games Space will provide something for everyone no matter their gaming abilities."
David Hayward, curator and event producer, said: "It's immensely exciting that London is getting its first game space, and I'm very pleased to be curating it. Games are such a diverse thing now, and I think Virgin Media Games Space will be an excellent way of supporting that."
The Virgin Media Games Space will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-7pm before it's re-homed to take centre stage at this year's Eurogamer Expo. It's free to visit anytime. To attend any of the organised events, visitors can secure their place from 19th August at www.vmgs.com.
1 Virgin Media Games Space, Blackall Studios, 73a Leonard Street, EC2A 4QS
² Lifelites is a charity that works with children in hospices (www.lifelites.org). Lifelites is working with London Southbank University (LSBU) to incorporate games and game technology into their work, starting with this gamejam in which LSBU students test develop prototype games specifically for children in hospices
About Virgin Media
Virgin Media is the first provider of all four broadband, TV, mobile phone and home phone services in the UK.
The company's cable network - the result of multi-billion pound private investment - delivers ultrafast broadband to over half of all UK homes, with speeds of up to 120Mb, as well as market leading connectivity to thousands of public and private sector organisations across the country.
Virgin Media has developed the most advanced interactive television service, bringing together broadcast TV, thousands of hours of on demand programming and the best of the web in a single set-top box powered by TiVo. The company was the first to offer HD TV and 3D on demand to millions of British households.
The world's first virtual mobile network was launched by Virgin Media and it is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media is a part of Liberty Global plc, the world's largest international cable company. Together Virgin Media and Liberty Global serve 25 million customers across 14 countries, helping connect people to the digital world and enabling them to discover and experience its endless possibilities.
