Play NYC took place on August 7th and 8th this year, marking one of the very first in-person gaming events to be hosted since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. PlayCrafting took a moment to celebrate the event as a victory and a celebration, as well as a hope for a brighter future in the midst of a trying time. To celebrate, PlayCrafting released
The news comes via email from PlayCrafting, which showcased the Play NYC expo. The expo went virtual in 2020, and in 2021, under guidance from the CDC and local authorities, Play NYC became a welcome return for small, in-person events. Attendees were required to either show proof of vaccination or test negative on a COVID test. Additionally, attendees were required to don their masks throughout the entire event, except for eating or drinking. The expo also had plenty of hand sanitizer stations for those needing to freshen up.
Play NYC was home to over 65 games and interactive experiences in 2021. Some of the games featured included Skate Story, I Expect You To Die 2, Swinsanity, Cell To Singularity, Squish, Second Extinction, theHunter: Call of the Wild, and Rushdown Revolt. Many of the developers were from the New York City area, and a variety of tabletop, mobile, AR, and PC games was available to play as well. In addition to games, Play NYC featured a solid streaming presence, with over 10 hours of live content, from live gameplay to tournaments to developer interviews and hilarious competitions.
Giving to Charity
At the heart of Play NYC was the ability to make a difference. Graffiti Games developers were awarded $25,000 to support underrepresented backgrounds. More than $3,000 was raised to support cancer research for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Finally, 25% of the show floor was sponsored by other companies to allow indie creators to present their games. One of the biggest moments was the recognition of PlayCrafting by Made in NYC, welcoming attendees to an event made in New York, and pledging to increase visibility and resources to Play Crafting.
Having attended, it was wonderful to see a gaming event again. The sights, the soundtracks, the people, the live music, all of it. Play NYC was my first be trip since the pandemic and the first time visiting the city since attending Anime NYC in 2019. It felt fantastic to see games and booths again, and talking to the amazing developers was nonetheless amazing. Play NYC may mark a slow, gradual return, an important step into a world learning to live with COVID-19. It’s entirely possible we may not see the conventions of 2019, with their gargantuan expo halls and booths, at least not for some time.
As expected, smaller, more focused events will likely be more common until it is safe enough for the bigger events to occur. There’s no telling what will be happening in the future, but for Play Crafting and the attendees of Play NYC, the future is looking bright.
The event will return next Summer (2022). What other conventions will New York host?
