About us

Norwich Games Festival is for everybody. Our inclusive and welcoming event celebrates games of all kinds and invites people of all ages to discover the creativity, art, and fun in games!

Beginners, experts, and professionals can all get involved, whether that’s having a go on our retro arcade, showing off your skills, or inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in the industry.

Presented by The Forum, alongside lead partner Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich Games Festival (NGF) offers a wide and varied programme of free and low-cost activities, for everyone to enjoy. NGF is a community event that celebrates the gaming industry, and the creativity and skills within the sector.

Our Aims 

  • To showcase and champion Norwich as a progressive hub for games in the UK, celebrating and highlighting the local talent and skills, with a particular focus on the games and tech education sector.

  • To deliver an inclusive and welcoming Festival for the whole community.

  • To showcase and celebrate the diversity of people working in games and games tech.

  • To offer a programme of activity which includes free-to-attend or low-cost events and activities so everyone can get involved.

  • To showcase the breadth and depth of the games sector, and the technology, art, design and storytelling in games creation.

  • To support students’ and professionals’ knowledge and skills development for games specific and adjacent careers, by providing opportunities and signposting for professional development, network, and career inspiration whilst exploring challenges and opportunities faced by the sector.

  • To highlight and promote healthy gaming, exploring physical and emotional wellbeing and the ethics of gaming and tech safety.

Our History 

Norwich Games Festival started life as Retro Arcade in 2012, as a way of offering something free, interactive and unique to young people and families during the Easter holidays. 

The event proved popular, and from this, and working with colleagues at Norwich University of the Arts, and the University of East Anglia (UEA) the event was broadened to encourage local independent game developers to showcase their games and skills, and to offer an insight into the game development industry to the public.

The Festival grew each year, with the addition of retail, a more structured platform for independent developers and the gaming industry, and plenty of talks and workshops for visitors to learn more about gaming, programming and also the study and career development options available. 

Now, after a 4-year rest due to the pandemic, we're back 29 May - 1 Jun, and with a new Festival Producer, Ellie.