About

Calling serious gamers, casual console players and anyone in search of something fun to do with family and friends! Games Fest will return to the iconic Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September, offering three sessions of pure gaming glee.

Bringing a library of over 100 of the most popular board games around (and giving demonstrations of some the newest releases to hit the market) will be returning partner, Dice Board Game Lounge. Pick a game, take your place at the table and participate in the competitions and tournaments that will be running across the weekend, before perusing a fully stocked shop so you can buy and continue playing your new-found favourites at home.

Returning to the stage with a dream set up for every retro arcade enthusiast is Game Over. Relive the magic of your youth and introduce the younger generations to classics such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Ninja Turtles, Mario Bros, Street Fighter and more! Also enjoy gaming projected onto the giant screen.

 

St Vincent College - with their resident Esports team, St Vincent Sharks - return to Games Fest (day sessions only) with an array of Esport activities and entertainment. Competing in matches in Overwatch 2 and Rocket League, attendees will have the chance to take on St Vincent’s Shiver whilst finding out more about the Esports industry, its growth and trying out some of the games available to the college’s students and those competing in the British Esports Student Championships.

Continuing the modern theme, gamers will have the chance to demo brand new games from some of the most exciting developer talents within the Indie Gaming Zone. Partisan, Entombed and Chupito are just some of the new game concepts set to be trialled.

Contemporary South Asian games will be presented by Bridges not Borders. An Arts Council England funded art and literature project to build bridges locally, nationally and internationally through South Asian art and literature, it will give people the chance to try out games including Chaupar, Carrom or Snakes and Ladders.

For fans of the fantasy tabletop role-play game Dungeons and Dragons, The Three Dungeoneers will be celebrating the big 50 with a selection of introductory adventures. Condensed into 90 minute time slots, attendees will be able to get a taste of the DND phenomenon.

And for the most retro of games, join the Mary Rose and try your hand at a range of Tudor games and archery and learn more about life on board King Henry VIII’s flagship.

Sessions will run from 11am-4pm and 5-9pm on Saturday 14 and 11am-4pm on Sunday 15 September, with the Guildhall’s Square Kitchen café open to ticket holders for all their essential snacks and treats.

Guildhall Games Fest is fun for all ages but under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

A sell out in previous years, don’t be disappointed - get your tickets now!