QV Melbourne Presents Game/On: A Retro Gaming Festival

QV Melbourne presents Game/On, a new program of events bringing everyone's favourite pixelated games to life in a retro gaming festival.

From 31 August-23 September, the QV Square and surrounding laneways will transform into a gamers paradise. Taking centre stage is a live competition that invites members of the public to try their luck against professional gamers during a four-round Friday night knockout, against one of the biggest video game screens you've ever seen.

Melbourne's laneway precinct will transform into a retro world complete with lurid 80s-gamer styling, an arcade full of every old school game you can think of, a live progressive game-art mural, an augmented reality scavenger hunt with over $10,000 worth of prizes, and more.

Open daily, Game/On is completely FREE.

Across three Fridays from 31 August to 14 September, Melbourne's biggest video game nuts are invited to face off against friends, foes and strangers, going in the draw to win a share in prizing valued at over $2,000. Home-game heroes will compete in 2-3 minute heats of Super Smash Bros from 5pm-6:30pm. At 6:30pm, the top five scorers will test against the professionals. Then the top two public players from each night will progress to the grand final on Friday 21 September.

Like any good final the pressure will be fever pitch, with the big screen action happening live from 5pm. The grand finale will see the pro gamer who beats pro gamers play off against the top scoring public player at 6.45pm. The winner will be crowned Game/On champion, receiving the top prize and all the glory.

Those not up for big screen antics can relive their childhood in the Game/On gaming arcade with games including Space Invaders, Mario Kart, Pong, Donkey Kong, Frogger, and many, many more - open daily from 11am - 7pm. The big screen game is also open to the public from 11am daily, so you can brush up on your skills ahead of the Friday night competitions.

The free QV AR Scavenger Hunt is also available every day, kicking off from QV Square: simply scan the QR code located at the starting point and navigate your way through QV laneways to collect the five tokens you need for your chance to win a share in over $10,000 worth of prizes.

Beyond the game, the party is on every Friday night from 4-7pm, with a Nintendo themed candy bar, a DJ spinning retro tunes and a live progressive art installation in Albert Coates Lane, painted by some of Melbourne's most vibrant visual artists.

Friday 31 August is Vogue American Express Fashion's Night Out and the official launch of Game/On. 'Power-Up' vodka-based syringe shots will ensure gamers start their engines with a bang. The AR Scavenger Hunt will operate from 10am until late with a specially themed set of prizes from the QV fashion retailers, including vouchers from Republic Boutique.

Worlds apart from other retail precincts in Melbourne, QV represents the quintessential Melbourne lifestyle. Intimate laneways in the urban precinct give visitors the freedom to wander and discover the eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants at their own pace. Located on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets, QV has something for everyone with boutiques, enlightening entertainment and cosmopolitan bars and restaurants.

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