195 Piccadilly, the events venue and home of film and TV industry body BAFTA, is pitching for business from the burgeoning video games sector, with a newly refurbished auditorium equipped for state-of-the-art video game demonstrating, playing and launching to press, public or clients.

The venue’s Princess Anne Theatre is now fully equipped for high definition gaming and demonstration. The Barco DP100 2K projector is capable of projecting high definition images onto the full-sized cinema screen, while new wireless technology included on the latest consoles means that video games can be played in the auditorium, which can accommodate up to 213 guests. Furthermore, the Dolby Digital/DTS 6.1 Sound System ensures the best possible sound.
 
The Run Run Shaw Theatre, 195 Piccadilly’s smaller screening room suitable for up to 40 people theatre-style or 20 boardroom or classroom-style, is now also equipped with the latest consoles ready to play or demonstrate any game.

“Already boasting excellent screening facilities, the Academy has recognised the need for top facilities for video gaming,” said Keith Fawcett, head of technical services at BAFTA. “As a conference and events venue, it is essential that 195 Piccadilly is at the cutting edge of technology. The IT sector is, as it always has been, where the greatest developments are taking place, and the BAFTA headquarters certainly aims to be heading up those developments, allowing 195 to provide first-rate and state of the art facilities to all of its clients.

“The Academy is now fully dedicated to the recognition and promotion of excellence in the video games industry, recently celebrating the first televised annual British Academy Video Games Awards viewed by over 30,000 across the UK,” continued Fawcett. “With BAFTA judges testing all games on the premises, it is vital that we update the headquarters accordingly, ensuring that all the necessary equipment for video games is as near perfect as possible.”

Increasingly accepted as a new art form, video gaming has become a new category and focus for BAFTA, which views the genre as no less important than Film and Television.