UCA brings GEEKS to new gaming event
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is joining the Super Mario Bros, Pac-Man and Sonic the Hedgehog at the very first GEEK (Games Expo East Kent) exhibition.
GEEK, which runs from 15 -19 February in Margate, is a brand new event that celebrates the history of video-gaming and technology through tournaments, interactive workshops and special guest speakers.
UCA is sponsoring a free workshop by Phillip Hosking on 17 February at 3pm in Queen's Hall. The digital artist, who is a visiting tutor on the BA (Hons) CG Arts & Animation degree, will show how Photoshop can be used to develop and build computer games and characters.
Second-year BA (Hons) Creative Arts for Theatre & Film students are also involved in GEEK 2012. They have been working with London-based StampCollective to make props, costumes and sets for a unique, interactive game that will involve real people and places around the exhibition.
The covert 'missions' will take place on 15 February at the Winter Gardens and are so secret that only those lucky enough to discover the game will know it exists.
Michael Poraj-Wilczynski, Associate Dean at UCA, said: "We are very pleased to be invited to support GEEK. This is an extraordinary five-day event for Margate and it is important that the University for the Creative Arts is involved.
"Game design and production are an essential part of the UK economy and events like this inspire the creative talent of the future and enhance our cultural standing around the world.
"We hope that as many of our students and the public go along and that it becomes an annual event."
GEEK 2012 is an exhibition of over 150 playable consoles, networked PCs and thousands of games supplied by Replay events Ltd. The Winter Gardens in Margate, Kent will showcase the history of video games from the earliest examples of games and consoles, to the most recent, including retro pinball machines, arcade machines and X-Box play lounges.
Alongside the fun and games there will be workshops in animation, plus keynote speakers from the games and film industry exploring the future of the gaming market.
GEEK runs from the 15 – 19 February and will also feature fringe events across Margate. Located in cafes, bars, galleries and Theatres around town, events will include literature, music, art and performance.
It will host competitions, and two amazing days of tournament play on the Saturday and Sunday of the event. See the GEEK website for more info: www.geek2012.co.uk
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
