London Games Festival Reveals City-Wide Cultural Program

Cultural Highlights of the London Games Festival

The cultural events at LGF aim to attract a diverse audience, from avid gamers to art enthusiasts. The festival’s programming reflects a commitment to exploring the boundaries of gaming and its role in contemporary culture.

Performance Meets Play at the V&A

The festival’s cultural activities kick off a few weeks prior to the main event, starting with a free Friday Late event at the V&A on March 27. Curated by Susie Buchan and Kristian Volsing, this evening will challenge visitors to rethink the concepts of play and performance. Attendees can expect an array of activities, including:

• Experimental live-coded music performances.
• Live-action roleplay and cosplay drag.
• Discussions on the craft of professional acting in video games.

This event serves as an introduction to the festival’s overarching theme: the intrinsic connection between gaming and performance art.

The Legacy of Now Play This

Building on the success of the Now Play This festival, renowned game designer Holly Gramazio has collaborated with artists to present three new experimental events during LGF:

• Strange Play: Open Mic – Scheduled for April 13 at Theatre Deli, this event will celebrate unconventional approaches to play and performance.
• The Rules of Watching – A two-day invitational game jam at The Garrett Centre, culminating in a public sharing on April 15, featuring artists Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley and Symoné.
• Play Praxis – Curated by Sindi Breshani, this full-day event on April 16 at Siobhan Davies Studios will explore how play can tell important stories, featuring games like Solomon’s Secret and Sea Hero Quest.

Strange Play: Showcase

Returning to Theatre Deli on April 18-19, the Strange Play: Showcase will present a curated selection of experimental interactive works. Highlights include:

• Tamagotchi Seance 3 by Nick Murray, a ritual honoring departed virtual pets.
• The Turdis, an absurdist escape room experience set inside a portaloo.

New Game Plus: A Boutique Games Expo

A special showcase of experimental game artworks will be featured at New Game Plus, curated by FLAMIN (Film London’s Artists Moving Image Network). This boutique expo will take place on April 16-17 at Exhibition White City, showcasing nearly 100 games, including:

• Playable works by David Blandy & Petra Szemán.
• Innovative creations by Ama Dogbe and Clifford Sage.
• A collaborative project with natural history museums in Berlin and Paris.

Iconic Game Soundtracks Concert

One of the key side events of LGF is the London Video Game Orchestra concert at Cadogan Hall on April 17. Following a successful performance in 2025, the orchestra will present a thrilling lineup, featuring:

• Music from Mario Kart 8, including the track ‘Dolphin Shoals’.
• Iconic pieces from the Final Fantasy series, such as ‘Advent: One-Winged Angel’.
• Live gameplay synchronized with music from Super Smash Bros.

This concert promises to be a highlight for both gamers and music lovers alike.

Additional Events and Activities

In addition to the cultural highlights, LGF will offer a variety of core events, including:

• New Game Plus (April 16-17): A consumer-focused event featuring hands-on play with nearly 100 new game releases.
• Screen Play (April 15 at BFI Southbank): A conference exploring the connections between gaming, film, and television.
• BAFTA Games Awards (April 17): Celebrating excellence in game-making.

Supporting the London Games Festival

Now in its eleventh year, the London Games Festival is supported by the Mayor of London and is delivered by Games London, an initiative from Film London. This year, the festival has also received extended support from the UK Government as part of its Modern Industrial Strategy.

In 2025, LGF attracted over 102,000 visitors across its 26 events, including 5,000 industry professionals from 31 countries. Notably, 48% of attendees were from outside London, showcasing the festival’s international appeal.

Stay Updated and Get Involved

For regular updates on the London Games Festival and to learn more about upcoming events, interested parties can sign up for the weekly newsletter at games.london or follow @londongamesfest on social media. For partnership inquiries, contact partnerships@games.london.

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