This weekend - Friday 29th May through to Sunday 31st May 2026 - the UK Games Expo is celebrating its 20th anniversary - and Fighting Fantasy gamebooks have been along for much of that ride, as can be seen in the Expo Museum.
Sir Ian Livingstone is in attendance against this year - on Stand 2-359 in Hall 2 - as is FF historian Jonathan Green, and brand manager Marc Gascoigne*.
Sir Ian will be taking part in a number of events across the weekend:
2:30pm - 3:30pm on Friday, 29th May - Main Stage, Hall 1: Life is a Game talk
11:30am - 12.30pn on Saturday, 29th May - Main Stage, Hall 1: 20 Years of Gaming panel with Luke Gygax and Steve Jackson (US)
2:00pm - 3.30pm on Saturday, 30th May - Toute Suite: City of Thieves playthrough with John Robertson
From Friday 29th May - Sunday 31st May 2026, Sir Ian Livingstone will be attending the UK Games Expo at the NEC on the outskirts of Birmingham. You will find him on Stand 2-359, along with FF alumni Marc Gascoigne* and Jonathan Green.
Sir Ian is also taking part in two events.
2.30pm-3.30pm on Friday, 29th May, Main Stage, Hall 1: Life is a Game
Ian will give an entertaining and visual account of his struggles as an entrepreneur in the 1970s when he and Steve Jackson founded Games Workshop and launchedDungeons & DragonsandWarhammerin Europe. He will tell the origin story of the multi-million-sellingFighting Fantasy gamebook series from its launch in 1982 withThe Warlock of Firetop Mountain up to the present day with the announcement of a new title written by Ian coming out at Fighting Fantasy Fest 6.
2.00pm-3.30pm on Saturday, 30th May, Toute Suite: City of Thieves play through with John Robertson
Take the journey to Port Blacksand and help Ian lure a comedian to his doom for charity!
(This sold out almost immediately, hence it is no longer shown on the UK Games Expo website.)
On Saturday 31st May, from 2:00pm Sir Ian will be signing Fighting Fantasy Adventures with Martin Wallace at Stand 3A-460, before heading to the Main Stage in Hall 4 at 3:00pm to be interviewed about his 50 Years in Games by John Robertson of The Dark Room fame.
As anyone who attended Fighting Fantasy Fest 3 back in 2019 will tell you, one of the highlights of the day was a special performance of John Robertson's The Dark Room.
Well, we are delighted to be able to announce that The Dark Room will be making a return appearance at Fighting Fantasy Fest 5 this September.
If you're new to The Dark Room, check out the video below to find out more about this award-winning interactive show.
Not only will John Robertson be welcoming you back to The Dark Room at FFF5, he will also be undertaking the notorious 'Walk' through Deathtrap Dungeon, as dungeon designer extraordinaire Sir Ian Livingstone attempts to lead him to his doom.
During the course of the weekend Sir Ian will also be taking part in two live events.
On Friday 31 May, from 1:30-3:00pm, he will be leading The Dark Room's John Robertson astray once more in Deathtrap Dungeon, in the seminal gamebook's 40th anniversary year. Tickets for the event are available here, but they have almost all sold out. (Half of each ticket fee will be added to the UKGE Charity donations.)
On Sunday 2 June, from 12.30-1:00pm Sir Ian will be joining fellow Special Guest Luke Gygax on the D&D at 50 panel. This is a free event, taking place on the Main Stage in Hall 2.
If you are attending the UK Games Expo this year, do stop by Stand 2-T21 and say hello. And may your STAMINA never fail!
The UK Games Expo 2023starts today, and Sir Ian will be in attendance on the Friday*.
You will find him at Stand 2-T21 where you will be able to get your Fighting Fantasy gamebooks signed.
Also, on Saturday 3rd June 2023, Olly Mc of The Storymaster's Tales fame will be guiding John "The Dark Room" Robertson through the infamous City of Thieves* in the adventure's 40th anniversary year.
Terror stalks the night as Zanbar Bone and his bloodthirsty Moon Dogs hold the own of Silvertown to ransom. John Robertson's mission will take him to Port Blacksand's dark, twisting streets, where thieves, vagabonds and creatures of the night lie in wait as he tries to find Nicodemus. Beyond Port Blacksand lies the stronghold of the Night Prince Zanbar Bone.
Olly and John will be playing their way through City of Thieves on Saturday 3rd June at 5:00pm in the Hilton Pavilion.
Tickets for the event are available here, and half of the revenue from each sale will be added to the UKGE Charity donations.
The UK Games Expo 2023 kicks off two weeks from today, and Sir Ian will be in attendance on Friday 2nd June.
You will find him at Stand 2-T21 where you will be able to get your Fighting Fantasy gamebooks signed.
Not only that, but on Saturday 3rd June 2023, Olly Mc of The Storymaster's Tales will be guiding John "The Dark Room" Robertson through the infamous City of Thieves* in the adventure's 40th anniversary year.
Terror stalks the night as Zanbar Bone and his bloodthirsty Moon Dogs hold the own of Silvertown to ransom. John Robertson's mission will take him to Port Blacksand's dark, twisting streets, where thieves, vagabonds and creatures of the night lie in wait as he tries to find Nicodemus. Beyond Port Blacksand lies the stronghold of the Night Prince Zanbar Bone.
Olly and John Robertson will be playing their way through City of Thieves on Saturday 3rd June at 5:00pm in the Hilton Pavilion.
Tickets for the event are available here, and half of the revenue from each sale will be added to the UKGE Charity donations.
Three months from today, on Saturday 3rd June 2023, you could enter of eponymous City of Thieves* in the company of Sir Ian Livingstone himself and stalwart Fighting Fantasy adventurer John "The Dark Room" Robertson, at the UK Games Expo 2023.
Fighting Fantasy has been a mainstay of the UKGE for many years, with the live readthroughs being a particular highlight. After being unable to attend last year, Sir Ian Livingstone is back to put John Robertson through his paces once more.
John, with the help of an enthusiastic audience, will take on the role of an adventurer on a quest to find and stop the powerful Night Prince Zanbar Bone, a being whose minions are terrorizing the town of Silverton. Hired by a desperate mayor, John and his advisors** will journey to the dangerous city state of Port Blacksand, in search of the wizard Nicodemus, who apparently knows of Bone's one weakness.
Tickets for the event are available here, and half of the revenue from each sale will be added to the UKGE Charity donations.
Three months today, Saturday 27th August, is International Gamebook Day. It is an online event that celebrates all things gamebook-related, featuring interviews with creators from all over the world. This year, International Gamebook Day also just so happens to be Zagor the Warlock's 40th birthday, so you can expect some Fighting Fantasy themed material in particular on the day.
And a week later, on Saturday 3rd September, Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 is taking place at the University of West London in Ealing, at which Steve Jackson and Sir Ian Livingstone will be talking about their new books, Secrets of Salamonis and Shadow of the Giants.
But before then, we have the UK Games Expo, which kicks off a week today, on Friday 3rd June, at the NEC in Birmingham. Although Sir Ian is no longer able to attend himself, Olly McNeil - of Steve Jackson's House of Hell LIVE! fame - has kindly agreed to step in for the Friday night live reading of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, and help guide the audience, and The Dark Room star John Robertson, to a successful outcome or an untimely death. May his STAMINA never fail!
2022 marks the 40th Anniversary of the publication of this groundbreaking interactive adventure gamebook. The player takes the role of an adventurer travelling to find the treasure of a powerful Warlock hidden deep within Firetop Mountain. People from a nearby village advise that the treasure is stored in a chest with two locks, and that the keys are guarded by various creatures within the dungeons. The player must then navigate the dungeons beneath Firetop Mountain, battle monsters and attempt to locate the keys.
You can also read an interview with Sir Ian Livingstone if you pick up a copy of the UK Games Expo programme at the event.
The Warlock was very disappointed when the UK Games Expo had to cancelled this year, due to the pandemic currently ravaging the Earthly Plane. However, he was delighted when the organisers announced that the event would be moving online.
Anyone who has previously enjoyed John Robertson's attempts to escape Deathtrap Dungeon, under the watchful eye of dungeonmaster Ian Livingstone, either at the UK Games Expo or Fighting Fantasy Fest 3, will be delighted to hear that the pair are returning for Virtually Expo.
On Saturday 22nd August, 6-7:00pm BST, Ian Livingstone will challenge John Robertson to play through his classic Fighting Fantasy book City of Thieves on a quest to defeat the demonic sorcerer Zanbar Bone.
To do so he must walk the murderous streets of Port Blacksand to seek help from an old Wizard. Will John succeed?
Or will Ian do his best to lure him to his doom?
This is a free to watch event.To watch the show on Twitch click this link...
House of Hell LIVE is an interactive theatre show, based on the classic gamebook by Steve Jackson, and adapted by The World of Legend. The World of Legend has fast gained a reputation for putting on amazing interactive adventures, since its founding only a few years ago, and the group's The School of Witches and Wizards show is even rated #2 on Trip Advisor's list of things to do in Rye!
Please note that due to the nature of the show there are a limited number of places available for House of Hell LIVE, and it does incur an additional charge. However, it will not take place at the same time as John Robertson's The Dark Room, so you will be able to attend both, if you so desire.
This summer Fighting Fantasy Fest is returning to the University of West London, in Ealing, for the third dedicated Fighting Fantasy convention. The event will feature Guests of Honour Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, as well as a host of other writers and artists who have all worked on the series over the years.
Fighting Fantasy Fest 3 will feature talks, gaming sessions, signings, a Fighting Fantasy exhibition, and a selection of traders. Food and drink will be available on the day from an on-site cafe and bar. A range of exclusive merchandise will also be on sale at Fighting Fantasy Fest 3.
Over the coming weeks and months we will be revealing the names of still more guests who will be joining us for the event, as well as some special announcements that you are not going to want to miss if you are a fan of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks!
Price of entry includes a collectible programme and autograph book, as well as entry to all talks and a special performance of John Robertson's The Dark Room. If you are not familiar with The Dark Room experience, then read on...
YOU AWAKE TO FIND YOURSELF IN
A DARK ROOM! You, the audience, are trapped in an interactive, retro gaming
nightmare; choose an option, find the way out, and escape The Dark Room! If you
succeed, you’ll take home £1000... but if you fail YOU WILL DIE! For you are
not alone in The Dark Room; the merciless overlord of improv, John Robertson,
is here to guide you through an hour of expertly crafted chaos and anarchy. And
in the end, eeeeeverybody plays!
A) Find
the Light Switch?
B) Go
North?
C) Abandon Hope?
‘NOT TO
BE MISSED’ – The Guardian
★★★★★ ‘The Dark Room is utterly unique, it’s hard to describe the magic and
joyful
surprises awaiting you within without utterly
scaring you off.’ - The Skinny
★★★★★ ‘You must see this show’ –
British Comedy Guide
★★★★★‘You have to see the Dark Room at least once
in your life’ – The Scottish Sun
★★★★ ‘Great fun, nostalgic, but
also a fresh angle for comedy’ – Den of Geek
★★★★ ‘Genuinely, irresistibly
dangerous’ - The Stage
Last weekend, Ian Livingstone attended the UK Games Expo and was greeted by a host of grateful fans, who asked him to sign their much-loved and well-thumbed Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, or took selfies with the gaming legend, or interviewed him for their podcasts and YouTube channels.
Highlights of the event included Ian's live reading of Deathtrap Dungeon, in which he lured The Dark Room's John Robertson to his death again and again and again. The tables were turned later than same evening, when Ian was lured to his death in The Dark Room, although he did walk away with a flamboyant potato for his troubles.
All Rolled Up were also there, selling their Fighting Fantasy licensed products, including dice trays and bags.
Thank you to everyone who came along to Stand 2-C2 over the course of the weekend to say hello, and it was great to see so many fans passing the torch to the next generation. May your STAMINA never fail!
