UK Games Expo 2011 – The Family Zone

Fun for everybody what ever your age!

Last year’s UK Games Expo had seen Imagination Gaming, run a number of really successful game’s competitions with a focus very much on the younger audience; this year the focus was on the family and what a brilliant idea this turned out to be. We had been allocated more space and at times were so busy (with between 200 and 300 people over the two days) we had people literally burrowing their way under tables to get into the zone, so they could play our games, and this wasn't just the kids!

This year our area was called the ‘Family Zone’ and when you think about it we are all part of a family whatever our gender or age. Over the weekend we saw games being played by groups of children, parents, parents and children, and most wonderfully of all families who had never previously met playing together. We were also supported by a group of teachers, parents and children from Westborough High School Dewsbury, one of the schools we are already working with.

With over 40 games to choose from, age and varying levels of gaming experience could be accommodated so the Imagination Gaming team of volunteers were in constant action on the Saturday, at times as
players, guides, facilitators, coaches and teachers. Sunday was a little quieter and so allowed us more time to talk with those who had come to play games in our area. Our youngest visitor was probably an 18 month old baby sitting on Dad’s lap playing with the pieces from Katamino and as regards the oldest – well it would be rude of me to guess her age!

Wherever you looked there were smiling faces and the sound created by people having fun.

One family of five had enjoyed themselves so much last year that they travelled up from Plymouth specifically to join us (for both days) this year; the eldest of the children telling us (with a beaming smile) how since last year’s show their games collection had increased from 3 to 51! This was just one of many stories we heard - it was clear that many had come to the UK Games Expo in large part because of the Family Zone.

Another couple with their young son, Jamie, commented on how impressed they were with the range of games and the depth in many of them. Although they were one of the many families who had great fun playing the Korean snap based game, Rabbit and Carrot, where you had to ring the bell in the middle of the table before the other players – I think Jamie won that game. This game was played by many, many people of every age over the weekend.

Yet another Dad brought his 4 year old son along specifically because he saw we had a games that would work with his son, including Jurassic Wars.

Children were not a prerequisite – we saw groups of friends, singles, couples – as already said we are all part of a family in some form; many people commented on how particular games might work within their respective families.

One long suffering mother and wife of a gamer spent a couple of hours trying out a wide variety of games and whilst not in raptures felt that in Villa Paletti she had found a game that she would be willing to play.

With a little bit of space opening up at one point on Sunday a couple of young guys sat down to break out their newly purchased KingBrick. However, when offered the opportunity to play our games they quickly agreed and were soon brought together with a family looking to have a game of Incan Gold. As the afternoon progressed the family left but the two guys joined others lured in by Nigel and his enthusiasm to play The Great Dalmuti and had a blast as they had to constantly change their hats and seat positions as their place in the court of the Great Dalmuti rose or fell. This would be a game well worth videoing next year if time and technology allowed.

The last game of the day was Cloud 9, a balloon race a game that had been played by dozens of people over the weekend. With the playing tables empty, bar one couple and their two children a passing father and his son asked if they could join in for one last game. Being the social hobby that it is the answer was of course yes and so as everybody else packed up and made their way out of the venue one last game was played by 6 people / two families / three adults and three children who had never spoken to each other before that moment. It had happened many times over the weekend in the Family Zone but seemed particularly fitting that this was the way we finished the 2011 UK Games Expo.

There were so many little stories like this from the weekend that I thought it might be worth letting our visitors say what they thought in their own words:

“Thanks so much for running a Family Zone. Without it we wouldn’t have enjoyed the Expo nearly as much. Kids loved Hey, That’s My Fish and Take It Easy.”

“Oldest son liked Rorschach as there were no right or wrong answers. Apples to Apples caused us to debate. Cloud 9 was popular with our mum and it was simplified for our youngest son and Katamino was very good and suited all levels.”

“Straw was great fun, learned it quickly and I’d play it again with my friends. I think the family area is a great idea, lovely to see so many kids enjoying games.”

“We really enjoyed Cloud 9. Easy rules that my 6 year old picked quickly, nicely presented with just the right amount of risk. Nice ‘service’ too, the gentlemen we played with were good with the kids.”

“Thanks for taking the time to introduce us to some new games. Both Lee and Nigel are lovely and I’ve now got some good ideas of games to play with my 6, 5 and 4 year old nieces and nephews. Mum and Dad enjoyed it too.”

“We enjoyed learning Gem Dealer (must look for it) and Straw. The games were well taught and fun to play with a quick turnaround.”

“The Great Dalmuti played as a group of seven had a great time. We shall be buying that one for our Friday night. Many thanks.”

“Fantastic, lots of fun and friendly informed staff and volunteers. Hey That’s My Fish was brilliant, simple but with enough strategy for repeat play.”

The UK Expo organisers are indicating we might have even more space next year and the Imagination Gaming team are again heading to Essen later this year so we hope to have many new games from around the world to for families to play next year.

If you would like to see more images from the Family Zone then click here and should you be tempted to buy any of the games mentioned then check out our on-line store here.

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The information above does not include the kids Dungeons and Dragons that was squashed into one corner of the Family Zone and busy throughout the weekend.