Don’t miss the custard-punching launch of GEEK2013 on Thursday 21 February

We’ve toiled a whole long-but-short year on GEEK2013, swept along on a tide of tea and cooperative effort and now it’s nearly here, Forgive us if we’re a bit tired and emotional but we can’t quite believe how much energy and talent has poured into the project. So make sure you write it into your diary for 21-24 February – in big red letters and/or relevant emoticons. And take particular care that you don’t miss the opening event from 6.00pm to 9.00pm on Thursday 21 Feb. Hide&Seek are curating the event and we’re really pleased about this for two reasons: Firstly, their imaginative gameplay will make Margate old town a place of wit and wonder – the perfect start to GEEK2013. You’ll see how the gameplay sprite can climb out of the console and put an intelligent sparkle into public spaces. Secondly, one of the games on offer is Punch The Custard, designed by George Buckenham. Players have to punch a bowl of custard against the clock; punch it just right and the (perfectly ordinary) custard bounces your hand back as though it’s a hard surface. We think it’s a great analogy for everything GEEK – a cultural contribution that’s fun, social, interesting, and sprinkled with learning (it combines electronics, programming, and practical experiments on the viscosity of edible fluids). And did we mention it’s got custard in it? (Photo above by Mike Massaro.)

GEEK 2013: Hide&Seek to curate launch event; order your limited-edition ticket vouchers

Picture credit: Mike Massaro

We’ve signed up a guest curator for opening night…

We’re beavering away like, well, beavers to make GEEK2013 bigger and better than GEEK2012. So we’re delighted that Alex Fleetwood of game design studio Hide&Seek has agreed to guest-curate the opening event.

Hide&Seek believe that play – as a theme, a way of being, and design tool – is integral to understanding how culture will develop in the 21st century. And they’ve done some fascinating things, like their 99 Tiny Games for the 2012 Olympics, and their Drunk Dungeon game for New York University’s Game Center. We don’t know what to expect, but we know you’ll want to join in.

…and you can buy Xmas GEEK vouchers now

We’re releasing bespoke ticket vouchers to 50 lucky gift givers – and just in time for Xmas. Just call +44 (0)1843 282 219, tell us what you need, pay for it, and we’ll send you a voucher with your gift-ee’s name on it.

Bigger, better, geekier – we’ve won Arts Council funding for GEEK 2013

We’re delighted that we’ve been awarded Arts Council funding for GEEK2013, the second-year edition of our festival of gaming.

Last year’s GEEK2012 was a white-knuckle ride – if it had flopped we’d have had a nasty financial bump. Fortunately the hard work of all those involved – and the support of the ticket-buying public – made the festival a success.

The Arts Council funding will help us take GEEK2013 to even geekier heights – stay tuned for more news as we’re busy hatching plans.

We want to hear from more sponsors, games people, and fringe eventers

There’s still much to be done and there are opportunities – and potentially Arts Council funding – for games people and fringe eventers. We want to hear from:

• Sponsors. We’d love to hear from further sponsors – we want to put your name up in lights (well, on a banner and in adverts at least). Maybe you can help us fund a free-ticket day.

• Games people. Get in touch if you’re a developer who wants to test a game, a game-maker who wants to demo or sell your game, or if you have an idea for a workshop.

• Fringe eventers. Last year’s ranged from games-themed poetry to a theatrical mystery and chip-tunes disco. Tell us your idea and we’ll try to find a way to get your game-face on.
So don’t keep your geek-tastic thoughts to yourself – get in touch.