What is this all about? London Gaming Market? What does that even mean? In a hotel? Whaaaaaaaaaa?
On Sunday 3rd April 2016, the Royal National Hotel hosted its second London’s Gaming Market following the very successful November 2015 launch. Replay Events, Showmasters, and Dark Cleo Productions have teamed up to promise this event every 4 months, and for the second event it seemed to coax in the punters.
So, one third of Devon Gamers Shack attended London Gaming Market with Lightspeed Crafts. There’s plenty going on, and according to organisers, they have extended the space to make it as spacious and more claustrophobic-friendly. There were two big halls and a smaller back room. The two main rooms hold most of the games consoles, board games and large merchandise stands. There was even a little space near the front of one room where people can play a board games.
Let’s start with THE GAMES AND CONSOLES!!! From current releases to classics…though classics clearly triumphed over both halls, you could see the rush of punters running with their ‘Early Bird’ entry trying to get to the rare classics and fabulous deals!
Away from the sea of Playstation 1&2, N64, Gamecube, and Sega games and hardware, there was an awesome stall displaying the handiwork of Retrospective 22 (http://www.retrospective22.com/). Retrospective 22 sell custom, modified consoles. The hall was swarming and it was difficult to get any decent pictures so here is an image from their website:
Retrospective 22 modify any console, and custom not only cosmetics, but also functional aspects such as lighting. MAY HAVE TO HAVE MY N64 MODIFIED!!! You can find Retrospective 22 on Facebook – www.facebook.com/retrospective22 and Instagram –http://instagram.com/retrospective22/
There was also a cool little stall selling old Gameboy Colours, really wanted to buy one:
There was a growing board game presence (which made me so sooooo happy). This was crowded, which is nice to see. I intend to convert the world to board games. Starting with Paul and Rob, heh heh.
So, aside from the tonnes of merchandise, hardware, and games! There were also some more unusual dealer tables. We will start with me, exhibiting Lightspeed Crafts!
I decided to make a new range of gaming inspired plaques. My plaques are designed and painted and / or ink transferred (depending on the design). Though my Fallout 4 ones have been incredibly successful:
I have wanted to branch out for a while. I worked night and day to make these plaques within week and released the new range here at London Gaming Market. It included Sonic, Mario, Fallout New Vegas, Unchartered, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, and Call of Duty, as well as a simple but effective “Gaming is in my DNA” plaque.
For me, the event didn’t go too well. It seemed many people were there for specific items and weren’t interested in the art and plaques so much. It didn’t help that I was tucked away in the back corner of the back room.
However, it did go well for our table neighbours, WeaponShop. The title of this article is a tribute to their leaflet “It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this!”
WeaponShop are a videogame themed pop up shop selling hand crafted artworks and lifestyle products. Their whole display was themed cleverly and their leaflet was inviting to gamers!
Not only is their artwork beautiful, but they also do cute little themed bath bombs, salts, and display items:
The shopkeepers are lovely and clearly passionate about helping you along your mission! Check out their website – http://weaponshop.persona.co and Facebook page – www.facebook.com/WeaponShop/
Go now!!!!!!!!!!!!
You done?…
Right. In one of the main rooms, another artist, ‘Cave of Pixels’ wowed the room with his intricate and fantastic looking Pixel Bead Artwork:
For his stuff, he has pixel beads placed over images and his larger pixel bead pieces are MARVELOUS!!!! Seriously, incredible! You can check him out here on Facebook – facebook.com/caveofpixels ~ Instragram and Twitter here @caveofpixels
I hope this has given you an overview and if you want to check it out for yourselves then the next Gaming Market will be in July! Check out some more images here:
Thanks for reading!!! Let us know if you were there and your thoughts (or if you attend future ones we would love to hear your experience!)
Ciao!!
Written by Jodi ‘Starbuck’ Symmonds
Dedicated Gamers shack 