The University of West London (UWL) held its first Esports and Games Festival on Saturday 9 November to network gamers, students, and esports professionals and celebrate gaming culture.
This landmark event was a collaborative effort by UWL’s London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism, London School of Film, Media and Design and School of Computing and Engineering. It was led by Senior Lecturer in Events Management Dr Faithfull Gonzo, Lecturer in Games, Media and Music Ryan Callard and Associate Professor in Computer Science Dr Malte Ressin. Together they created an immersive experience that showcased the intersections of gaming, technology, and media.
The festival included exhibitions, panel discussions, and hands-on experiences. EsportsGB, Hivefolio, GDL Community, and Soundcaster Studios were contributors, offering a unique chance to network with professionals, learn about industry trends, and explore potential careers.
Gaming exhibitions highlighted the latest developments in esports and gaming technology. Interactive displays and VR experiences gave visitors the chance to explore and engage with innovative games and equipment.
Panel discussions featured expert insights on the future of esports, the growth of gaming as an industry, and the role that universities can play in shaping tomorrow’s gaming professionals. Speakers from participating companies shared their experiences, discussed the skills required in the field, and emphasised the importance of collaboration across creative, technical, and managerial roles.
Head of Subject for Tourism, Aviation and Events Dr Elitza Iordanova shared her thoughts on the event’s success: “It was pleasing to see a stage schedule filled with insightful talks from industry professionals and academics, covering topics such as studying video games, the GDL community, and the esports ecosystem.”
“It was incredible to see the collaboration between academia and industry as they work towards a common goal and how alumni and experts came together to share insights, reinforcing the potential for growth in esports and event production,” commented Course Leader for Event Management Dr Gergina Pavlova.
Course Leader for Games, Design and Animation Jay-Won Shin said, “It was great to see so much interest in UWL’s games courses and to hear many positive comments from industry guests.”
The festival set a high benchmark for future events and established UWL as a growing hub for gaming and technology in higher education. The university looks forward to expanding the festival in future, fostering a community of passionate gamers and innovators.
