Tag: #Events

  • Level Up Your Week: Norwich Games Festival 2026 Programme Goes Live!

    Level Up Your Week: Norwich Games Festival 2026 Programme Goes Live!

    The wait is officially over for the region’s biggest gaming celebration.

    Norwich Games Festival (NGF26) is returning from Saturday 23 May to Saturday 30 May 2026 for eight action-packed days of interactive fun. Presented by The Forum alongside Lead Partner Norwich University of the Arts, this year’s festival is shaping up to be the most ambitious yet.

    The best part? The full programme of events is live right now! Whether you want to prototype your first indie title, smash a local tournament, or introduce the family to the retro classics of your youth, your schedule is about to get busy.

    What’s On: Drop In, Play, and Learn

    The 2026 festival spans the entire spectrum of gaming culture. From video games and cutting-edge tech to beloved tabletop board games and physical activities, there is a space carved out for every kind of player.

    Here is a quick look at what’s waiting for you at The Forum and across Norwich:

    • The Arena (Wed 27 – Sat 30 May): The Forum’s main atrium transforms into a massive, free-to-play interactive gaming hub packed with new releases, indie developer showcases, and fan-favourite hits.
    • Bespoke Workshops & Masterclasses: Dive deep into the mechanics of the industry. This year features new sessions on app development, audio design for video games, and analogue tabletop creation.
    • Industry Talks & Live Shows: Learn how a couple of friends in a van turned Games Workshop into a global empire, or test your trivia knowledge at the Big NGF26 Quiz & After-Party.
    • The Game Cave & Actual Reality Arcade: Step back in time with vintage retro consoles or step into the game with life-sized arcade mechanics that use your real-world movement.

    From Player to Creator

    East Anglia is a quiet powerhouse in the UK tech economy—currently home to nearly 6% of the country’s digital games workforce. If you have ever dreamed of turning a hobby into a career, NGF26 is your ultimate networking event.

    Thanks to Norwich University of the Arts, attendees will have direct access to leading lecturers, current students, and local indie developers. You can get feedback on your portfolio, learn about specialised university courses, and hear firsthand from industry professionals about what it takes to break into the business.

    Key Dates & Special Highlights at a Glance

    To help you map out your half-term week, here are the milestone events you shouldn’t miss:

    Date(s)Event / FeatureWhat to Expect
    Sat 23 – Sun 24 MayThe Albion ArenaA fierce, community-driven fighting game tournament featuring Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
    Mon 25 MayTrader & Collector DayThe ultimate Bank Holiday pitstop to browse, buy, and trade rare tabletop games, video games, and cards.
    Tue 26 MayThe Arena: Relaxed DayA dedicated, controlled-capacity day tailored for attendees with SEND-related access needs and calmer programming.
    Wed 27 – Sat 30 MayThe Main ProgrammeFree drop-in gaming in The Arena, live panels, and evening events.

    Ready to plan your festival? > While a huge portion of the festival is entirely free and drop-in friendly, certain high-demand workshops, evening talks, and tournaments require booking. Head over to Norwich Games Festival to explore the full lineup, download the digital guide, and lock in your tickets before they disappear!

    Find out more here – https://norwichgamesfestival.co.uk/

    #norwichgamesfestival #gamesevent #events #workshops #shows #talks #TheForum #NorwichUniversityoftheArts #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #gamingnews

  • Laufey officially headlines Fortnite Festival Season 14

    Laufey officially headlines Fortnite Festival Season 14

    In a digital landscape where pop and hip-hop usually dominate the airwaves, Epic Games is taking a sophisticated detour. Starting April 16, 2026, the Icelandic-Chinese sensation Laufey officially headlines Fortnite Festival Season 14, bringing her signature “modern jazz” aesthetic to the metaverse.

    For a platform that has hosted the high-octane energy of Metallica and the neon-pop of Billie Eilish, Laufey’s arrival marks a refreshing shift toward the “vintage-chic” sound that has captivated Gen Z.


    The “Emberlight” Aesthetic

    Season 14 isn’t just a playlist update; it’s a full atmospheric overhaul. The Emberlight Music Pass introduces a visual palette that matches Laufey’s dreamy, introspective brand. Players who jump into the new season will notice:

    • Laufey Icon Outfits: From the ethereal White Dress Laufey (unlocked immediately with the pass) to the prestigious Golden Era Laufey at the final tier.
    • The Shop Drop: For those looking to round out their locker, the Lover Girl Laufey outfit and the adorable Mei Mei the Bunny Back Bling are set to be instant favourites.
    • Thematic Gear: Expect cello-inspired instruments and auras that feel more like a candlelit lounge than a stadium concert.

    Modern Jazz Meets Modern Tech

    Laufey’s music—a lush blend of jazz, bossa nova, and classical—might seem like a quiet choice for a rhythm game, but it’s a strategic move for Epic. Her viral hits like “From The Start” and “Valentine” (and the newly added “Madwoman” Jam Track) offer a unique technical challenge for players, focusing on syncopation and melodic precision rather than just raw speed.

    Additionally, Season 14 launches alongside major hardware updates:

    • Mic Vocal Option: Players can now use compatible microphones to sing along in real-time.
    • Pro Drums: Support for MIDI drum kits and Rock Band 4 controllers is officially expanding, perfect for capturing the intricate percussion of Laufey’s tracks.

    “Laufey is effectively bridging the gap between the 1940s and the 2020s. Bringing that intimacy to a platform with millions of concurrent users is a bold, brilliant move for Fortnite’s musical evolution.” — BizNooz Tech Desk


    Why This Matters for the Industry

    By choosing Laufey to follow up heavy hitters like Chappell Roan, Fortnite is proving that its “Festival” mode is more than just a promotional tool for Top 40 hits. It is becoming a legitimate venue for genre discovery.

    Whether you’re a long-time “Lauver” or a gamer who has never heard a bossa nova beat, Season 14 invites you to slow down, find the rhythm, and perhaps realise that jazz isn’t just for the history books—it’s for the Battle Bus, too.

    Are you ready to trade your pickaxe for a cello? Season 14 is live now.


    Stay tuned to BizNooz.com for the latest updates on gaming trends, digital culture, and the business of the metaverse.

    Find out more here – https://www.fortnite.com/

    #fortnite #epicgames #battleroyale #Laufey #music #singer #FortniteFestivalSeason14 #events #games #gaming #gamers

  • Fortnite Arenas Boxfights: The Sweatiest New Mode is Playable Now

    Fortnite Arenas Boxfights: The Sweatiest New Mode is Playable Now

    Forget the long rotations and the hunt for loot. Epic Games has officially brought one of the community’s most beloved (and stressful) competitive formats into the spotlight. Arenas Boxfights launched on April 9, 2026, and it’s already reshaping how players warm up and rank up.

    If you’ve spent any time in Creative, you know the drill: tight spaces, lightning-fast edits, and a shotgun blast to the face the moment you miss a window. Here is everything you need to know about the official “Arenas” version.


    What is Arenas Boxfights?

    For the first time, Epic has built a dedicated, ranked environment for boxfighting using the power of UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite). Unlike the sprawling Battle Royale map, this mode places you in a compact, grid-based arena where building and piece control are your only lifelines.

    The Match Format

    • Round-Robin Style: You aren’t just playing one-and-done. In a 16-player lobby, you’ll rotate through multiple opponents in a round-robin tournament format.
    • Winning Conditions: * Solos (1v1): First to 20 rounds wins the match.
      • Duos (2v2): First to 15 rounds wins for your team and claims victory.
    • The Grids: Maps rotate between four different sizes ($3 \times 3$, $3 \times 5$, $4 \times 4$, and $5 \times 5$). Smaller grids mean instant aggression, while larger ones allow for more tactical “re-boxing.”

    New Mechanics & Ranked Play

    Epic isn’t just copying Creative maps; they’re adding “official” polish to the chaos.

    • Ranked-First Experience: There is no “Casual” version of Arenas. You’ll be matched strictly against players of your skill level (Bronze through Unreal). This ensures you aren’t getting “piece-controlled” by a pro while you’re still learning your 90s.
    • Team Merges: In a genius move for Duos, if your teammate quits or disconnects, the game will attempt to merge you with another “leftover” solo player so you can finish the tournament together.
    • Overtime: If a fight drags on, the game enters Overtime. You lose the ability to place new builds, and all existing structures become “neutral”—meaning both you and your opponent can edit them. It’s a guaranteed way to force a finish.
    • The Announcer: For the first time in Fortnite history, we have a gameplay announcer. Elite Zadie provides “barks” and commentary throughout the match, adding a professional tournament vibe to every duel.

    Free Rewards: The Grind is Real

    To celebrate the launch, Epic has tied two exclusive cosmetic rewards to the mode. You’ll need to put in the work to unlock these:

    RewardRequirement
    Cracked Blueprint SprayWin 125 rounds in Ranked Arenas
    Builder’s Crest Back BlingWin 300 rounds in Ranked Arenas

    Note: Only wins in Ranked matches count toward these goals. Unranked “1v1 Me” duels against friends are great for practice, but they won’t get you that Back Bling.


    Why You Should Play

    Whether you’re a pro looking for a consistent practice environment or a casual player wanting to improve your building, Arenas Boxfights is the ultimate “Hyperbolic Time Chamber.” There are no bots, no vehicles, and no distractions—just pure mechanical skill.

    Pro-Tip: Since the mode just launched, everyone is starting at the same rank. If you aren’t feeling particularly “sweaty” today, you might want to give the high-tier players a few days to climb the ladder before you jump in.

    Are you ready to claim the Builder’s Crest, or will you stay boxed in? Jump into the Compete or Discover tab and see if you have the edits to survive.

    How are you finding the new Overtime mechanic—does the “neutral edit” rule make things too chaotic, or is it the perfect way to end a stalemate?

    Find out more here – https://www.fortnite.com/

    #Fortnite #EpicGames #ArenaBoxfights #battleroyale #combat #events #games #gaming #gamers

  • A Hundred Days Until Gamescom

    A Hundred Days Until Gamescom

    It is hard to believe that there are just a hundred days to go before the start of the Gamescom 2025 in Cologne. For gamers, developers and studios, this is the must go to place. This year are many new features to be looking out for, such as the streaming booth, MeetToMatch and of course all of those new games to look out for. Surely this has to be gaming heaven for anyone who loves gaming and games. See you there!

    To find out more about the Gamescom event, go to the official game website here https://www.gamescom.global/en

    #Gamescom #games #gaming #gamers #events #studios #gamesdevelopers #indiegames #gamesdesign #Cologne #exhibitors #designers #developers #MeetToMatch