Come Out and Play is in 2 weeks

Greg Trefry wrote to make sure I knew that the Come and Play Festival is happening in two weeks. I posted about this when they were first looking for game designers back in May. At the time they were hoping to have 15 games, they seem to have exceeded their goal and are rolling out with 25.

This September games will break free of the PlayStation cords for a weekend. The Come Out & Play Festival will feature roughly 25 big games that turn New York City into the gameboard. From cellphone-enabled strategy games on the streets to wi-fi based games of dope wars to old-school throwbacks like Space Invaders scrolling down the side of a building, the festival will feature a slate of unique gaming experiences.

Over the last couple of years, game designers have been experimenting with new types of games. Some people call them big games, others pervasive games. Either way, Come Out & Play will give everyone a chance to check out a whole new way to play. The festival runs September 22-24 in New York City. Sign-up for events at comeoutandplay.org or stop by the opening at Eyebeam on Friday September 22.

Games are becoming an important part of O’Reilly events. It’s a great way to breakdown social barriers and provide a hands-on experience with technology. CO&P sounds like it is going to be a great proving ground for new ideas. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to pull some of these games into our conferences.