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Calling all gamers! The Guildhall Games Fest returns to Portsmouth Guildhall for 2023!

Serious gamer, casual console player or just looking for something fun to do with friends or family on a cold winter day? Look no further than Guildhall Games Fest, which returns to Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February.

It features the best in modern, board and retro gaming across three sessions and two floors of the Guildhall. What's more, new features for 2023 include an exciting showcase into the world of e-sports.

Led by the St Vincent Sharks, you can switch to spectator mode and witness a battle royal of the games Rocket League, Overwatch and League of Legends, and find out more about the flourishing e-sports industry - plus the programme on offer at St Vincent College.

Returning with the ever-popular Board Gaming Zone (and their library of over 100 popular games to play, as well as demonstrations of the newest games to hit the market) is Dice Board Game Lounge. Pick a game, pull up a chair and participate in the competitions and tournaments that will be running over the weekend. A fully stocked shop of essentials will also be available to buy so you can continue gaming at home.

Also returning with a dream set up for every retro arcade enthusiast is Game Over. Relive your youth and introduce the younger generations to the classics of Pong, Pac Man, Mario, Minecraft and much more, with gaming tournaments projected onto a giant screen.

You can also experience the latest in innovation in the University of Portsmouth’s Innovation Zone, offering an assortment of game demos created by the students and staff of the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries.

Sessions run from 11am-4pm and 5-9pm on Saturday 4th and 11am-4pm on Sunday 5th February 2023 with the Guildhall’s Square Kitchen café open to ticket holders for all the essential gaming snacks and treats.

There is fun to be had for all ages! Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult and under 4s go free.