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"30 Years Of Play" Highlights the Marvellous and Multifaceted History of Video Games

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This year marks the 30th birthday of Ukie, the only trade body for the UK's games and interactive entertainment industry. To commemorate this it's launching the 30 Years of Play initiative to celebrate the past, present and future of the UK interactive entertainment sector

The 30 Years of Play website tells stories of the UK games industry, from its early roots, through the 1980s when Ukie (then ELSPA) was created, to the present day. With previously unheard stories and unseen archival materials it will track through the past few decades of the political environment for games. There will also be a blog, podcast and events to celebrate the major achievements of the sector and the people who have made it.

Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of Ukie, said, “The 30 Years of Play campaign is an opportunity for the industry to come together and tell the stories of the positive impact people and games have had on our economy, on our culture, on lives, and on society.

As the oldest games trade body in the world, we also want to dig in our own archives – three decades of publications, government reports, correspondence – to see what has changed and how far we have come as a responsible, creative, innovative and self-regulating industry. We would like to have as much of the UK sector – companies and individuals – to join in and share their stories too.”

Noirin Carmody, COO Revolution Software and Chair of the Ukie Board of directors added, “Although this campaign is timed to coincide with Ukie’s 30th birthday, its aim is to reflect how our thriving industry has succeeded because of decades of hard work from thousands of talented, passionate individuals. From the pioneers of the 1980s through to the current generation driving the sector forward today, we want to shine a spotlight on the bright and brilliant people who contributed, and continue to contribute, to the success of our sector. And in doing so, we want to bring that creativity and passion to a new and diverse generation, driving our sector to ever greater economic and cultural heights.”

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Andrew Robertson
Andy Robertson is the editor of AskAboutGames and has written for national press and broadcast about video games and families for over 15 years. He has just published the Taming Gaming book with its Family Video Game Database.