Interviews// Replay Events

I caught up with Andy Brown of Replay Events to ask him about the retro gaming Reply Expo. I asked him a few questions about what he was planning for the Replay Expo that will be running on 5th and 6th November 2011.


SPOnG: What made you decide to create an event focussed on retro video and arcade games?

Andy Brown: We all had an interest in retro gaming, and had run smaller events before the for Replay Expo. The Blackpool Expo was the next logical step - taking what we had done in the past to the next level and creating a full scale event that was open to an international audience.


SPOnG: Have you modelled the expo on any others?

Andy Brown: In fairness as there is nothing to compare it to, not really. To a degree all expos have a similar format, but as ours is quite unique in the way that it is all about playing games rather than selling you a product. I must admit I have enjoyed hearing it compared to the computer shows of the 1980s due to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, which is exactly what we want to achieve at our events.


SPOnG: Why is the venue in Blackpool?

Andy Brown: Blackpool is a great location with a rich history of video arcades. Also, Blackpool has no shortage of cheap accommodation and it is well located nationally with good rail and road links, plus an international airport.

It is no coincidence that we run the event on the last weekend of the illuminations either - the event is family friendly so we hoped that people would come to see the Expo in the day, then see the illuminations in the evening. Plus, it's nice to have something away from all the usual venues such as London, Birmingham or Manchester.


SPOnG: Your presence at Eurogamer Expo was impressive and well attended, how did that come about?

Andy Brown: It is quite simple really, we pitched an idea to the Eurogamer Expo organisers and they loved it! We met with the EG team early in the year to discuss how we could celebrate the history of gaming at their show, but we had no idea just how big a stand they would let us have. It is certainly our biggest commissioned work so far and one that we are immensely proud of.


SPOnG: You have talks from members of the gaming industry, both past and present. How do you manage to convince developers, many of whom have since left the industry, to attend?

Andy Brown: Having run smaller events for a number of years we got to know a few well known industry names who attended our events and gave talks or did Q&A sessions. Initially we just scoured the internet for the contact details of our favourite programmers and hoped for the best.

I think it was probably out of curiosity that some of them attended! It was through them that we were introduced to more developers and programmers and it has expanded from there. This year we have links with BAFTA who have assisted us to get even more industry people involved.


SPOnG: Last year you had a tranche of tournaments running throughout the show, everything from Pong to Sensible Soccer. How do you ensure that those less able players to get involved with these events?

Andy Brown: We definitely try to vary the games we use in tournaments so that there is something for everyone, and games like Pong can literally be played by anyone. This year we have introduced a series of tournaments specifically for younger people and even a girls only gaming tournament!


SPOnG: You have links with museums and other official organisations that focus on the preservation of computing technology and even video games. Will they be present at this year's show?

Andy Brown: Last year our cultural display was from The National Museum of Computing, but this year we have decided to focus on computing in education. We will have representation from two Universities at the show, as we are actively encouraging the use of video games as part of the curriculum both at higher level and secondary education level.

The UK has an incredibly rich history when it comes to video games, and we really feel it is important to let the next generation of games programmers and designers be aware of how we have shaped the industry, and to be proud of what we have contributed to the global video game market over the last thirty years.


SPOnG: The pinball tables were very popular from last year; are you planning to expand that area this year?

Andy Brown: Oh yes! We have an entire area of the show devoted to pinball this year, with over fifty machines available for play so there will be plenty to satisfy pinball enthusiasts' appetites.


SPOnG: Thank you very much for your time.