Game Fest! Video Gaming: Past, Present & Future

Sep 23, 2026 Penelope S.
Whether you’re a lifelong gamer or simply curious about gaming, there’s something for everyone. Come play, discover, and connect with your community at Game Fest!
Saturday, October 10 | 12 – 3 pm
HCLS Central Branch

What do video game music, retro games, independent game developers, and 50 years of gaming history have in common? They’re all part of this year’s Game Fest at HCLS Central Branch! We’re excited to welcome everyone back for our second annual Game Fest: Past, Present & Future. Whether you grew up with an arcade joystick, discovered gaming through a favorite console, or are simply curious about what makes games so much fun, we have an afternoon of music, conversation, games, and community planned for you.

 

Two of the highlights we’re especially excited about are a live performance by the Baltimore Gamer Symphony Orchestra (BGSO) and a special panel discussion featuring local game industry professionals. The BGSO will bring the music of video games to life with a live performance celebrating the memorable sounds and scores that have made gaming such a meaningful part of so many of our lives. If you’ve ever found yourself humming a video game soundtrack long after you’ve put down the controller, this is a performance you won’t want to miss!

We’re also excited about our panel discussion, moderated by Tony Li, founder of Pixel Crushers and Wild Domain Games. Tony is the creator of popular game development tools, including the Dialogue System for Unity, which has been used in award-winning games such as Disco Elysium and 1000xRESIST. Tony will be joined by Daniel Beahn, a video game industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience working with studios including Kesmai Games, Electronic Arts, Westwood Studios, and Bethesda; Sky Copeland, a freelance programmer and indie game developer with seven commercially released titles and extensive experience with Unity and Godot; and Natalie Pierce, a software engineer and hobbyist game developer who created Keety and BLUMA and is currently developing the online co-op game Mage Farm.

Together, they’ll share their experiences in game development, explore the history of video games and how the industry has evolved, and give us a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating the games we enjoy.

And that’s just the beginning! Throughout the afternoon, enjoy interactive activities, explore a special exhibit tracing the history and evolution of gaming over the past 50 years, and take part in a fun scavenger hunt just for kids. You’ll also have a chance to meet independent game developers and try featured games including Cursebreakers, Aurora Sol, interViolence, Mage Farm, and Realms Below.

Whether you’re a lifelong gamer or simply curious about gaming, there’s something for everyone. Come play, discover, and connect with your community at Game Fest! For more information about the day, visit the library’s calendar.

 

Penelope S. is the Adult Services Supervisor at HCLS Central Branch. A traveler, film lover, and avid reader who enjoys bringing people together through fun and welcoming community events at the library.

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