They came, they saw, they played, they made, they conquered – and, above all, they had enormous fun taking part at GEEK 2014.

The third annual event, hailed as the South East’s largest gaming expo, attracted nearly 3,800 people to Margate’s Winter Gardens.

Visitors came from as far away as the United States, Holland and elsewhere in Europe.

It was the third family festival of gaming, and director Kate Kneale described the response as “an amazing turnout”.

She added that the event’s success well and truly dispelled
the myth that gaming was the “solitary pursuit of teenage boys”, and that it confirmed the activity bridged generations and genders.

Ms Kneale said the highlights of the expo were numerous, but one special feature was the Margate games with Arts Council funding for four game-maker residencies drawing inspiration from tales of the ghost in the Winter Gardens, the sideshows on the seafront and old holiday snapshots.

She said: “The Indie Zone this year really put game making at the heart of GEEK. It was great for us and great for the indies who came. We had really positive feedback.

“GEEK is a games lab where games can be tested. The indies are amazing.”

The feedback had been “overwhelmingly positive,” she added.

She said people had missed the pinball arcade but agreed the Minecraft Cave, set up by popular demand, was a great addition.

Ms Kneale said she was sorry more schools had not attended.

Already planning the next GEEK, she said the number of workshops would be increased and there would be more talks for parents.

Suggestions for future features included internet safety, different coding languages and careers in gaming.

“We would love suggestions from people to help us build the programme,” she added.

“GEEK is only possible because of the amazing support it receives from its volunteers.

“Volunteering at GEEK can lead to work experience and employment opportunities; it has for several volunteers.

“The idea is to be useful and not exploit the amazing skills and talents of our volunteers.”

Ms Kneale voiced her heartfelt thanks to all who had contributed, including speakers, helpers, her family, sponsors and supporters.

She added: “GEEK is organised by a Margate-based social enterprise. If GEEK could do more than break even, any profits would be used for further events, which hopefully will lead to creating employment opportunities in the local area.”

See www.geek2014.co.uk for more on the three-day expo.