I’ll begin with an apology – I’m fairly ashamed that its taken me this lengthy to publish my evaluation of final 12 months’s occasion! It utterly handed me by, and its solely the current announcement of the 2024 dates, that jogged my memory I didn’t share this write up. So let’s put that proper!
I’ve been flying stateside for a couple of years now to attend Florida’s premier arcade gaming occasion, Free Play Florida. Try some earlier recaps right here. After lacking a few years attributable to Covid and sickness, I used to be excited to get again in November final 12 months to meet up with everybody and absorb a little bit of winter sunshine.
Free Play Florida is a three-day occasion that celebrates the historical past, artistry, competitors, and creation of digital gaming of every kind. It’s pushed by the enthusiastic avid gamers of the southeast. The occasion options a whole bunch of arcades, pinball video games, consoles, and numerous issues to be taught, play, and see.
FPF’s mission assertion
What appeals significantly in regards to the occasion, is that Free Play Florida is a 501c3 accredited group, Byte Amusement Group, Inc. and everybody concerned in placing this present on, provides their time at no cost. In different phrases, it has no industrial arm – all of the earnings from ticket gross sales, return into making the occasion pretty much as good as it may be.
2023’s occasion was hosted at a brand new venue, the RP Funding Middle at Lakeland, offering much more area to fill, which means every part was greater, higher and extra pleasurable for guests. I used to be requested to attend as a visitor and to assist out with internet hosting duties.
So right here’s one thing of an image tour/diary exhibiting you what went down:
One of many issues that Free Play does nicely is representing all eras of arcade gaming. This 12 months was no exception, with native collectors coming collectively to share their love of Japanese sweet arcade cupboards. This was the place to be to see and play many of those uncommon cupboards:
In addition to online game classics, some new arcade video games have been on show. Throwback: Jai Alai Heroes was created and constructed by indie developer Astro Crow. Try an interview with the creator right here. It’s nice to be reminded that these smaller devs are nonetheless releasing cool stuff like this:
Free Play Florida is a superb probability to socialize too. I used to be capable of meet up with acquainted faces concerned with the occasion:
Most likely the spotlight of the present this 12 months, was the gameshow I used to be requested to host. This was a sequence of mini video games for the general public to play in a daft gameshow format, with the final word intention of successful a Multicade arcade cupboard. Though I used to be nicely outdoors my traditional consolation zone, The Temple of Mayhem was a terrific success!
Suggestions from the gameshow was very constructive – anticipate one thing greater and higher for this 12 months’s occasion!
The academic facet of Free Play was evident throughout the weekend. There’s tons to see and be taught – and naturally you may get fingers on with all of it. I didn’t get a good image, however the historical past of pinball is informed in an in depth set up. And this was a brand new one on me – a terrific piece of Americana:
Try a few video walkthroughs of Free Play Florida 2023, to see every part on show:
In abstract? Free Play Florida is very advisable – whether or not you’re a Floridian resident, or fancy a break from elsewhere, the present caters for all tastes – with movies, pinballs and arcade historical past, aftershow events, talks, distributors and gameshows!
Do try the 2024 dates and get your tickets right here – look ahead to seeing you in November!
Thanks for studying this week!
Tony
