Nottingham Expo Welcomes UK Gaming Legends
The Nottingham Video Games Expo, now in its fifth year, has announced an impressive line-up of British industry figures for its 2026 event, a truly welcome sight for anyone who remembers the vibrancy of the UK's development scene through the 1980s and 90s. Among the confirmed attendees are Kev Bayliss, the artist behind some of Rare's most memorable characters, Gary Bracey, a key figure at the powerhouse Ocean Software, and Roland Perry, the engineering mind behind the ubiquitous Amstrad CPC range, a machine that truly democratised home computing for many across the country.
A Rare Talent Returns
Kev Bayliss, who joined Rare as a teenager, contributed to a string of titles that defined a generation of console gaming. His work on games such as Battletoads in 1991, Killer Instinct in 1994, and the groundbreaking Donkey Kong Country from the same year, shows a remarkable range and influence. Before these console hits, Rare, then known as Ultimate Play the Game, was a prolific developer for the ZX Spectrum, creating classics like Jetpac and Knight Lore, demonstrating a deep lineage in British game creation that Bayliss carried forward.
Bayliss's presence at the expo offers a chance to hear about the creative processes behind these visually distinct games, from the detailed sprites of the Battletoads to the pre-rendered graphics that gave Donkey Kong Country its unique look. He continues to work in the industry today at Playtonic, the studio behind Yooka-Laylee, alongside several other former Rare staff, proving that the spirit of British game design endures.
Ocean's Legacy and Amstrad's Reach
Also attending is Gary Bracey, who served as a boss at Ocean Software, a name synonymous with licensed games and original hits throughout the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Ocean, based in Manchester, was a dominant force on platforms like the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC, producing a vast catalogue of titles that filled the pages of magazines like Crash and Zzap!64 every month. The real story here is the sheer output and commercial acumen Ocean displayed, navigating the often-treacherous waters of movie tie-ins while still fostering original ideas, a balancing act few British publishers managed with such consistent success.
Roland Perry, the "Amstrad legend" as Time Extension describes him, brings a different but equally critical perspective. The Amstrad CPC, launched in 1984, was a hugely important machine in the UK, often sold as a complete system with a monitor and cassette deck, making it an accessible entry point into home computing. Perry's engineering decisions helped shape a platform that, while perhaps not always receiving the same critical adoration as the Spectrum or C64 for its games, certainly carved out a significant market share and fostered a dedicated community of users and developers.
A Gathering of Minds
The Nottingham Video Games Expo, taking place on Saturday 18th July 2026 at the Crowne Plaza, will also feature a selection of traders, including Sore Thumb Retro Games, Right Sprite Retro Games, The Gaming Newsagent, and Dream Consoles. Doors open at 11:00 AM, with VIP ticket holders gaining entry an hour earlier. This gathering of such influential figures from distinct but interconnected parts of British computing history is a rare opportunity. It allows us to reflect on the ingenuity and creativity that blossomed in the UK, from the bedroom coders to the larger studios, and how those early decisions continue to shape the industry.
These events are critical for preserving the stories and experiences of the people who built the foundations of our hobby. Hearing directly from individuals like Bayliss, Bracey, and Perry helps connect the dots between the machines and the games, offering insights that go beyond mere technical specifications or sales figures. It is a chance to celebrate a rich heritage and ensure these contributions are not forgotten as new generations discover the period's output.
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Originally published by Time Extension. Read original article.
