Event news and interview – Retro Station hosted by Kapow 15th October 2016

It seems that retro gaming themed events are growing in number, and take all shapes and formats – which can only be a good thing for the community going forward. This latest event – Retro Station – which we are extremely proud to be sponsoring, is due to take place on the 15th October is being advertised as a ‘retro gaming party’ with retro consoles, retro cartoons, arcade machines, retro game stalls and competitions making up just some of the great stuff available on the day.

Retro Station is the first solo event by Kapow! Events, Movies and Gaming, an events company headed up by Matt Dawson who has already successfully taken part in festivals across the country.

The event itself will be held at The Station, Cannock WS11 1LS, entry only £6 and runs from 12-6 pm. We would love to see you there!

We had the pleasure of being able to ask Matt a few questions about himself and the Retro Station event…

Can you describe yourself and tell us what role you play with The Retro Station?

Matt: Hey! I’m Matt I’m a 34 year old kid who loves Video Games, TV, Movies, Partying and Music. I’m the owner of Kapow! Events, Movies and Gaming and a I’m a huge geek. The RetroStation is the new Retro Gaming event that I am organising

How long has Kapow been organising events?

Matt: I’ve been organising events since 2009. First starting with Dance Music parties and slowly progressing on to other genres and types of events. It all started with an event called Blessed and slowly morphed into Kapow via other events like HDC, Encore Interactive and more.

Is this the first retro gaming event Kapow have hosted?

Matt: This is our first solo event. Last year we had an amazing response at 2 festivals, where we hosted a Retro Gaming/Geeky arena for 2 full weekends. They were the tester for what we wanted to move forward with, and helped us find the direction that we wanted to go in.

How does this event differ from the usual ‘retro market’ and expo type events that we are used to?

Matt: The RetroStation is aimed at casual gamers, not just the die hard fans. We want people to come in and have fun relieving their memories and play on games that they’ve probably forgotten about. We want it to be a gateway for people to get into the Retro Gaming hobby and a place where they can come and start that obsession (because let’s be honest it does turn into one).

We have a very select amount of local sellers who are there to provide great items at normal prices so that people who are just starting off have a great platform to find what they want, but also have some of the rarer items for the older collectors.

Not only that we will have food, drink, competitions, arcade machines and other great retro throw backs like old cartoons and music playing. A bargain for £6

How many people are you expecting/hoping to attend The Retro Station?

Matt: We know that new events are hard to start and build, but I would hope that we can start around the 100 mark, assess what we did right and wrong and build on that. The venue has lots of space and eventually I would like it to be a 300 person + monthly event.

You obviously have an interest in Retro Gaming, what was your first experience with video games?

Matt: I was brought an Amstrad CPC 464 when I was 8, which was my first look into gaming. Even though most of the time I was watching loads screens or attempting to code! After that it was the SEGA Master System, and then everything I could get my hands on.

What is your favourite games console/computer?

Matt: I’d have to say the Master System. It is the console I have the fondest memories of and is still the first one I go to when I fancy playing some games.

The desert island scenario: Which one console and game would you take?

Matt: I would cheat and take my PS2 running emulators so I could have tons of games

The burning house scenario: Which item from your collection would you save if you could only save one?

Matt: Damn….. I would try and take it all somehow, but if I had to save one thing it would probably be one of my arcade machines.

Have you got any more retro events in the pipeline?

Matt: We have more festivals planned for next year, the aim is for the Retro Station to be monthly and we are also looking into a few exclusive private events screening movies in cosplay and conversion after parties. Along with that we are rebranding our Podcast (The RetroCast) our YouTube channel (Kapow!EMaG) and currently having a website built which will offer loads of merchandise, as well as links to all of our videos, podcasts and blogs.

16 Bit World