Gamerdisco x Kotaku Event

 Where: The Book Club, 

100 Leonard Street , EC2A 4RH London, United Kingdom

 Show me the money: Free

When: 21/01/2015 (always a wednesday)

Who are 'Gamerdisco' ?

The guys started out their events as 'Nintendisco' and became endorsed by them and toured at events. They then changed their name to encompass a variety of games "a spanking shiny new monthly club night' GamerDisco- a truly social video gaming event!

With multi-screen projected gaming from old skool Nintendo including Pacman - one of the higlights was whoever got the top score on single player mode got an instant prize announced straight at 8.30pm! In the next room near the lightbulb bar they had Bomberman people played competitively

After 9pm Sami Cetin representative of the UK for Mario Kart championships entered the scene to challenge people to Mario Kart tournament with lots of prizes to be won.

 Whilst the hardcore gamers got into their zone you had Jetset Rory spin some 90's tunes mixed with 8 bit; electro, hip hop and gaming themes including Pokemon and Street Fighter. Later relieved by Tom from Japan Underground playing the expected Kyari tracks back to back.

This is a night for both casual button bashers and seasoned pros alike - I saw a different sort of clientèle with more random bystanders than the usual gaming community.

Find more photos here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.761170733937377.1073741854.554115554642897&type=3&uploaded=7

Gamedisco Launch sends people to the showers!

Upon arrival to the venue, The Book Club, what seemed like a quiet low key hidden pub, this place in fact shielded a heard of gaming fanatics in its basement silencing the cheering and manic dancing. Let’s head on down to the arcade of wonders.
 

I immediately went to the guys with Nintendisco tee’s and asked about the name change, the guys in fact began playing Nintendo based 8 bit tunes and bring Nintendo games only but with raging demand from them for their events they decided to change the name to make they a bit more approachable to Sony, Sega & Microsoft. They were adamant there was plenty of gaming love for all and no discrimination so the name change was in fact a smooth move.

Gamers having fun

 I asked so why Shorditch, well it’s a cool and happening area, why not? The venue itself fit the bill, with lightbulbs all over the ceiling, dim light areas to help focus on the arcade machine of which many choices were available including Supertoads I heard people get excited over.  You also had a DJ area where they set up their decks, projectors ready for tournaments (Sonic, Mario Kart, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, Crash Bandicoot) and a convenient bar to quench the thirst of victory.

Their plan is to hold the event every month, keep it free for as long as possible and most importantly promote gaming. In the past gaming was seen as a derogatory past time, something from your childhood. However with smart phone apps and gaming taken to a new level you would find an older and even younger generations getting a piece of the gaming action whether they are ‘geeks’ or not. So rather than sitting at home and game on your own, go out, socialize, compete and rejoice gamerism.

Sami Cetin (Ranked no.2 in Mario Kart in the world)

Came across the UK’s number one champion Sami Cetin, (British born with Turkish & Finnish background) at playing Mario Cart time trials (Console: Snes). Competing in the Mario Kart World Championships in France to attain number two rank in the world. Number one being a French native, currently Cetin is training with a group of other British Gamers to battle it in France’s next championship.  His niece is also woman's champ for Super Mario Kart (console: snes) too, Leyla Hasso is merely thirteen years old and holds UK’s number one. Winning clearly runs in this family.

Amongst people exchanging score times and game stats, we could hear Street Fighter tune remixes playing in the background by DJ Rob and and random screams as people were winning games for winning random battles. Overall a great night that didn’t break the bank and if you were skilled you could gain a few games and reputation in the gaming world. Just make sure you bring a spare top because sweat will pour !

enjoying some arcade fun XD