14th & 15th september 2024

PORTSMOUTH GUILDHALL

back for 2024!

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 14th and Sunday 15th September, offering three sessions of pure gaming glee.

retro gaming

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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 our giant screen.

board gaming

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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.

esports gaming

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St Vincent College and their resident Esports team St Vincent Sharks, will once again take centre stage at Guildhall Games Fest, bringing an array of Esport activities and entertainment. Building on from last year’s success, the Sharks will be competing in esport matches in Overwatch 2 and Rocket League, and allowing the chance for attendees to take on the shiver from St Vincent College, Gosport.

Attendees will also get the chance to speak to current and past students to discover what the esports industry is like, and how it developed rapidly over the years, as well as try out some of the games available to our students and those who compete in the British Esports Student Championships.

south asian games

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bridges not borders

Bridges not Borders is an Arts Council-funded art and literature project run by Susmita Bhattacharya and Aiysha Jahan; working to build bridges locally, nationally and internationally through South Asian art and literature. Stop by and try out a game of Chaupar, Carrom, or Snakes and Ladders!

dungeons & dragons

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the three dungeoneers

Dungeons & Dragons is celebrating the big five oh! And what better way to celebrate than by diving into a selection of introductory adventures into DND at Portsmouth Games Fest. The Three Dungeoneers return after their successful stints at Portsmouth Games Fest last year and the recent Portsmouth Comic Con.

Their games are condensed to fit into a one and a half hour time slot to give players plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the Games Fest. Spaces will be limited so find them early to ensure a place at the table!

indie gaming

Demo some exciting new games from up-and-coming game designers and show your support to the indie gaming community!

More indie gamers to be announced soon…

partisan

From London-based board game publisher Earth Former Games; Partisan is a 1-2 player asymmetric deck building game, where players balance international relations and morale in a bid to assert dominance over the Nations of the Earth Former universe. Play as Orcades, a power hungry nation keen to prove their worth, or Colonia Lindis, who have been the dominant power for a long time, and now face a change in the status quo

entombed

John is a disabled board game designer who uses the process to take his mind off the conditions which affects his day-to-day life. Entombed is a tactical pyramid survival game where you (and up to 3 other Explorers) are trapped in a pyramid with 4 vengeful Inhabitants. You must survive until the pyramid doors open.

chupito!

Chupito! is a party game for 3-12 players that takes less than a minute to learn, less than an hour to play, and is endlessly repeatable. Players draw challenge cards, wager bullets against one another, and try not to get shot! The challenge is then played out and the winner gets to fire all the bullets at the losers by flipping the cards over and dishing them out. The player with the least bullet holes at the end of the game is the winner!

We’re looking for more up-and-coming indie gaming developers to demo their games at 2024’s Games Fest. Whether your game is fully developed or still in development, we’d love to showcase it at our event! Get in touch to enquire about booking a table by clicking the button below.

+ more to be announced!

ticket prices

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I exhibit/trade at this event?

We are now able to take applications for traders. Email [email protected]

Will there be food and drinks available at this event?

Portsmouth Guildhall's Square Kitchen café open will be open to ticket holders for all their essential gaming snacks, treats, and drinks.

What board games and retro games will be available to play?

Dice Portsmouth and Game Over Portsmouth will be bringing their full catalogue of games, with hundreds and hundreds of games to choose from spanning across many generations. You will not be stuck for choice that’s for sure

Will there be tickets available on the door?

The capacity for the event is capped at 2000, so we recommend buying your tickets sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. At Portsmouth Comic Con we sadly had to turn people away due to selling out during the course of the days events.

Will there be cosplay?

As with Portsmouth Comic Con we not only welcome but encourage cosplayers to our event!

Is this event wheelchair accessible?

As with all events at Portsmouth Guildhall the venue and event is fully accessible to people of all needs. Should you have any concerns about accessibility at the venue please contact: 023 93870 200. Free carer tickets are also available to this event.

How can I join this event as a sponsor?

We are welcoming sponsorship to this event, should you wish to get on board please contact [email protected]

In which areas of the Guildhall will this event be taking place?

The event will be focused in Portsmouth Guildhall’s main auditorium, first floor and basement with board games and retro gaming taking over the whole of the area.

Can I apply for a press-pass for this event?

We are welcoming press applications to this event, should you wish to get on board please contact [email protected]

important information

  • Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult 18+
  • Bag searches may be applicable
  • No externally bought food/drinks/liquids are allowed

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