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Let the games begin! Suffolk Libraries to host events for International Games Week

International Games Week

Suffolk Libraries will be running a week-long series of gaming events for International Games Week.

International Games Week takes place from 7 to 13 November and is an international celebration which sees organisations across the world hosting events related to games and gaming.

This year will be the first time Suffolk Libraries is working in partnership with other local gaming organisations to bring events and activities to several of the county’s libraries.

Events will include Dungeons & Dragons, Pokemon meet-ups, video games and board games across several libraries.

There will be a chance to win an Xbox Series X by attending the events and collecting stamps. Anyone wishing to enter this competition needs to pick up a special passport from any of the participating libraries or partner organisations. People booking onto events will also be entered into a prize draw to win other prizes.

The events are designed to appeal to a wide audience with some libraries incorporating them into their regular social activities such as Top Time for older people.

Hannah Foulstone-Dalsgaard, Marketing Coordinator at Suffolk Libraries is a keen gamer and has coordinated the week of events. She said:

“Gaming is a massive part of many people’s lives across our communities. Whether it's playing D&D at the weekends or playing video games to wind down, it has become integral to the wellbeing of so many people, both young and old. It's important to us as inclusive spaces that libraries are able to meet this need in our community and allow a space for anyone to relax and enjoy a game."

Suffolk Libraries are working with several organisations throughout the week, including new board game cafe Geek Retreat, which recently opened in the former Age UK store in Ipswich. Geek Retreat will also feature in a special Suffolk Libraries podcast focusing on International Games Week which will be available from 8 November on our YouTube channel.

Indie game developer Sketchbook Games, who released their latest game ‘Lost Words: Beyond the Page’ in April, will also be involved in the week.

All events are free with an optional donation. Booking is required for most events apart from the Twitch stream and those which are part of regular library sessions. See our International Games Week page for full details.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Sunday 7 November

  • From 10am to 10pm, Twitch streamers One Life Left will be doing a 12-hour fundraising stream playing classic retro games such as Mario Kart, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tony Hawk’s pro Skater, Super Mario Party, Minecraft and more! Ipswich County Library will also be live streaming some of this event from 10.30am to 3.30pm with Bring Back Retro.

  • Dungeons & Dragons at Stowmarket Library from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Whether you’re an experienced player or just wanting to try Dungeons and Dragons for the first time, come along to take part in tabletop games of dragon-slaying and other adventures.

Tuesday 9 November

  • Live game demo at Ipswich County Library from 4pm to 5pm. Join Sketchbook Games for a live game demo of their new title Lost Words: Beyond the Page - a story telling puzzle game with the unique gameplay mixture of being in a fantasy story and the journal that you are using to create it.

  • Getting into the Games Industry – a talk by Mark Backler of Sketchbook Games at Ipswich County Library from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Learn how to start a career in the games industry and how to market your skills to employers.

  • The Big Gaming Quiz with the Geek Retreat. Test your gaming knowledge and support Suffolk Libraries with this ultimate gaming quiz fundraiser taking place at Geek Retreat at 41A Upper Brook Street in Ipswich from 7pm to 9pm!

Wednesday 10 November

Thursday 11 November

  • Pokemon retro gaming and cards with Bring Back Retro at Ipswich County Library from 12pm to 2pm. Meet up with other Poke-nerds for some old school Nintendo 64 Pokemon Stadium and other retro Pokemon games with Bring Back Retro! You will also get the chance to learn the Pokemon trading card game and battle other Pokemon masters.

  • Board games for adults at Stowmarket Library from 1pm to 5.30pm. Including popular games like Pandemic, Ticket to Ride and other popular board games for adults.

  • Pokemon meet-up at Gainsborough Library. Monopoly and trading card games from 3pm to 5pm. Meet up with other Poke-nerds to try your hand at Pokemon Monopoly or give the trading card game a go with your fellow Pokemon masters.

  • Board games and card games for older people at Newmarket Library from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Friday 12 November

  • Board games for adults at Haverhill Library from 12pm to 2pm. Get stuck in and play some of the best party board games for adults. This event is part of the weekly Open Space session.

  • Dungeons & Dragons at Ipswich County Library from 4.30pm to 6.45pm. For experienced players and first-timers.

Saturday 13 November

Book your place at one of our events.