One of the most popular features of Play Expo, the classic arcade, is confirmed again for the 2013 expo. We will once again be working with JAMMA+ – the Arcade Video Game Collectors forum – to bring you an unparalleled selection of classic arcade games, all set to free play for the duration of the weekend.

This year we will have over 100 machines on show, the most we have had to date. There will be a selection of rare dedicated arcade machines and JAMMA cabinets running the most popular games made over the past 30 years.

JAMMA+ spoke to us today and said:

“We are pleased to be working with the guys from Replay Events for the 4th year running and hope to bring to Manchester an excellent mix of arcade machines with something for everyone. Play Expo has grown year on year, and the presence of JAMMA+ has grown with it – this year will be the biggest arcade presence yet. We are really excited about this year’s show and look forward to welcoming all Expo visitors to the arcade.”

We will begin confirming exactly which machines will be at the show from next week onwards, but for now why not have a look at this video showing the 2012 arcade and imagine this years show even bigger and better…

We are proud to announce that exclusive advance screenings of the film From Bedrooms to Billions will be shown at Play Expo 2013. Furthermore, you will also have the opportunity to meet a number of the gaming legends (names TBA) that feature in the film throughout the show.

‘From Bedrooms to Billions’ is a two hour feature length documentary film telling the remarkable, true story of the British Video Games Industry from 1979 to the present day and how the creativity and vision of a relatively small number of individuals allowed the UK to play a key, pioneering role in the shaping of the billion dollar video games industry which today, dominates the modern world’s entertainment landscape.

Film makers Nicola and Anthony Caulfield have have released a number of new stretch goals to their Kickstarter campaign that will ensure as many backers as possible get a free upgrade to the ‘2-Disc Mega 4.5 hour Special Edition’ of the film containing an extra 2 hours of special features and extended interviews as well as an all new, exclusive and unique to this campaign only, Oliver Frey Cover !

To get involved head to over to the official Kickstarter page but hurry, there are just 6 days left until the Kickstarter campaign ends!

Did you enjoy our massive arcade at last year’s show? Well this year it will be even bigger and better! Further announcements will be made as we get closer to the show, but today we can announce that Northern Lights Pinball will be returning to Play Expo and bringing with them an even bigger collection of machines than ever before!

The NLP organisers said…

“Northern Lights Pinball are delighted to once again be partnering with Replay Events and giving Play Expo show goers the opportunity to play on the largest collection of pinball machines ever brought together in the North of England. As the sole provider of pinballs to Replay shows for four years running our aim is to make a visit to the pinball section a highlight of everyone’s show experience, and to give gamers the chance to play the real life versions of pinballs they may have previously only encountered in a virtual environment.”

For a reminder of just how huge the pinball arcade was last year check out arcadeuk’s video below.

Tickets for Play Expo 2013 are now on sale!

Earlier today, tickets went on sale for Play Expo, which returns to EventCity, Manchester on 12-13 October 2013 after a hugely successful debut last year. To reward people for booking early we have introduced an early bird ticket scheme this year.

Early bird tickets are currently priced at £8 Under 16s / £13 Adults / £40 Families (for single day tickets) or £13 Under 16s / £22 Adults (for weekend tickets). These prices include any booking fees. Early bird tickets will remain on sale at the discounted rate until 31st May.

Play Expo will expand considerably on last year’s event – this year the show will move into a larger hall, allowing us to take advantage of a brand new entrance foyer and increase floor space by 50 percent. Play Expo will once again feature four, distinct events:

• re.play (retro consoles, classic computers and arcade/pinball machines)
• now.play (previews of the very latest games and hardware)
• pro.play (casual and competitive gaming tournaments)
• cos.play (costume competitions, card and board games, dealers/traders)

This year Gamer Network will be managing the now.play (modern gaming) aspect of the Expo. Gamer Network have considerable experience staging gaming events – including the immensely popular Eurogamer Expo – so having them onboard means an overall better experience at the show regardless of which particular element(s) visitors come to see.

25h March 2013. Gamer Network (formerly Eurogamer Network) and Replay Events are pleased to announce a partnership that will see Gamer Network managing exhibitor sales for Replay’s Play Expo 2013 video gaming event. This year’s show takes place at EventCity, Manchester on the 12th and 13th of October.

The agreement builds on the support that Replay provide to Gamer Network’s own events (including Eurogamer Expo and Rezzed) and will also involve collaboration and sharing of resources for future projects and other business opportunities.

Rupert Loman, Founder and CEO of Gamer Network commented, “After working with Dave, Gordon and Andy at Replay for a number of years, we’re delighted to be formalising a much closer working relationship.

“To-date, our main involvement with Replay has been for the popular and ever-expanding retro zone at the Eurogamer Expo, which Replay have designed and curated since its overwhelmingly successful introduction back in 2011.

“We were impressed with the scale and diversity of the inaugural Play Expo in Manchester and are aware of the hugely positive feedback it attracted from both visitors to the event and the games industry itself.

“Replay Events has achieved a lot in a short space of time and we firmly believe we can use our knowledge, experience and resources to contribute a great deal towards the continued expansion and success of their business.

Dave Moore, Director at Replay Events added, “After having to remain tight-lipped for what seems like an eternity, we’re delighted that our collaboration with Gamer Network can finally be announced. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on the Retro Zone at their events – and have always aspired to produce events of the same scale and calibre of Eurogamer Expo. Thanks to today’s partnership announcement, our aspirations are now a reality.

“Gamer Network are the leader in UK Video Gaming events and we know that we simply couldn’t have found a better organisation to partner with. Having access to their experience, contacts and sales personnel has already proven beneficial in increasing publisher support for Play Expo – and we’re thrilled that gamers attending this year’s show will be able to reap the rewards.

“As Gamer Network are handling sales/sponsorship for the “now.play” (modern gaming) element of Play Expo – this frees us up to concentrate on what we do best and that’s delivering the finest, most expansive celebration of gaming history ever to be staged in the UK (and quite possibly, the world!).

“We will be also be making improvements to the competitive gaming aspect of Play Expo and this year’s show will see a much greater emphasis on tournaments and competitions for casual gamers. Furthermore, we have some very exciting plans for an expanded Cosplay zone that will be announced in the coming months.

Play Expo returns to EventCity (next to the Trafford Centre) in Manchester on the 12th and 13th of October. Tickets will be available online at www.playexpo.net from Tuesday 2nd April.

Replay Events Ltd are proud to confirm the return of Play Expo to EventCity, Manchester on 12/13 October 2013.

This year the show will move into a larger hall, allowing us to take advantage of a brand new entrance foyer and increase show space by 50 percent!

Tickets will be available from www.playexpo.net in April.

As always, subscribers to our newsletter will be the first to know when tickets go on sale.

A selection of photos from the re.play (retro) event at Play Expo 2012.

re.play featured over 300 retro consoles and vintage computers, 80 pinball tables, 80 classic arcade machines and a selection of Japanese (“Candy”) cabinets too.

Guests included Dino Dini and Mike Montgomery (both of whom gave talks) plus Jeff Minter, Andy Walker, Martin Edmondson, John Gibson, Paul Hughes and many more.

Tournaments were staged on favourites such as Micro Machines 2, Goldeneye, Warlords, Street Fighter 2, Sensible Soccer and Halo 2. We also hosted the “King of PES” and “History of Tekken” competitions.

A selection of photos from the now.play (modern gaming) event at Play Expo 2012.

The now.play area featured games from EA, Konami, Microsoft, Capcom, 2K Games, Nintendo, Namco and other exhibitors and was one of the first places in the UK you could get your hands on the Wii-U console.

A selection of photos from the cos.play event at Play Expo 2012.

Some of the most dedicated, creative gamers congregate to don costumes and props in tribute to their favourite characters from the world of video games for our cos.play event.

This years planned features include talks and workshops/panels, dance and drumming games, trading card/tabletop games and more.

A selection of photos from the pro.play (competitive gaming) event at Play Expo 2012.