Gaming is absolutely taking the world by storm and even eclipsing the movie industry when it comes to revenue turnover. In the past decade especially, the scene has evolved massively and become more inclusive in what used to be a male-dominated space. As bad as the COVID-19 pandemic was, I do feel some advantages came from it and that was thrusting casual newcomers towards video games, a place they may never have explored before. The Nintendo Switch flew off the shelves in 2020 as people spent endless months locked behind closed doors, I spent five entire months of my life encapsulated by Call Of Duty Warzone among 100 million across the globe. Bring with this the eruption of the eSports scene and even the Olympic Games considering bringing it into their events and the ever-increasing population of conventions pre-pandemic it is safe to say gaming is massive.

Photo Credit – Greg Martin/Cornwall Live

Game On Cornwall Is Coming!

If I mentioned gaming cafes or hotels in the same breath, you’d be hard pushed to even think of where you could locate one unless you were in an inner-city area. I live in the deepest darkest depths of Cornwall where we don’t even have a Nandos or a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop and we are probably quite lucky to have McDonald’s. But Game On Cornwall is on the horizon and is a pretty exciting and ambitious venture in my home town of Penzance. If I was to describe our town it would be a little emotional, to say the least.

When I moved here in 2002 it was a bustling place with plenty of independent shops and businesses. Now it is like any normal high street and the die-hard community is still spread thin across the town giving the place its own identity. Imagine my surprise when I walked through town one day and saw the branding of Game On Cornwall blacking out the windows of the old and vacant Edinburgh Woollen Mill. My intrigue got the better of me and I couldn’t wait to see what this huge building has behind the doors.

Credit – CHAOS TV

So What Is Game On Cornwall?

Game On Cornwall is the home of the first-ever gaming hotel in the UK which will double up as a retail space with areas where you can indulge and spend time absorbing your favourite gaming kicks. This is an all-inclusive venture where anyone of any gender, ethnicity or age is absolutely welcome with open arms. The venue has a huge floor space of 3000 sq ft and the lower floor will serve predominately as the bit where you’ll hang out with friends, grab a drink or bite to eat and play your favourite games with your friends and even meet new people of the same interests, I’m sure. I can only imagine the whirlwind of thoughts behind the team already the project with regards to events, competitions and tournaments, the opportunities are endless. The team pictured above are owner Neil Potter, Sean Chilman, Amy Potter, Pudge, Vicky Fisk, Bella Allard and Elzza.

Graphics Credit – Game On Cornwall Team

What Can We Expect?

Seven Gaming-Themed Double En-Suite Hotel Rooms!

So you may be wondering what Game On Cornwall will offer you and whilst we know quite a bit of information, I am sure there will be some under-wraps stuff until opening day. What we do know is that the upper two floors will consist of seven individually gaming-themed double en-suite hotel rooms, perfect for holidaymakers or enthusiasts to stay in. Whilst these won’t be quite finished for the original opening of the venue, they should be done and dusted sometime in 2023 with more knowledge on what the theming is for each room.

Dungeons & Dragons Tavern

Whilst this probably won’t be my cup of tea personally, I can imagine there will be plenty of people who will adore this space. For fans of the franchise and other card/deckbuilding lovers out there, this will more than likely serve as a tabletop area where you can gather others and compete. This will be absolutely fantastic for people from all walks of Cornwall and beyond to gather and play together in comfort.

Virtual Reality Experiences

VR gaming is super expensive I think we would all agree on that fact. To achieve this at home you’d need a console or PC and the VR headset which can prove such a costly experience. Not only this, but you’d also need a decent amount of room to be able to consistently engage in virtual reality adventures. I’m almost certain at Game On Cornwall there is an area mapped out for you to go and get stuck in without worry. It could also serve as the perfect opportunity to try a piece of kit before investing yourself.

Esports Area & Gaming Orientated Cafe

There will be a dedicated eSports zone with 6 high-powered top-of-the-range PC builds for competitive online or LAN play on the biggest games in the business. Whilst this is the only tidbit of info on this, it’s exciting for those up-and-coming gamers who are on the cusp of becoming pro or want to utilise the equipment to push themselves into the ever-growing eSports community.

Alongside this, there will be a gaming-orientated cafe with yet-to-be-announced mocktails, milkshakes and bites to eat. There will be no alcohol present at Game On Cornwall and I personally think this is a wise decision from the team.

(Very Important Gamer) Room

This is where the console gamers will want to be since this section will be kitted out with the latest consoles to game on, alongside a full-sized Pacman arcade machine and comic collections. This is likely somewhere I’d want to be hanging out being a console player myself, I can’t wait to see what they have in mind here.

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill will be the new site of Game On Cornwall

When Is It Opening & How Do I Get There?

This is all we know right now although I am sure there will be more as the opening day looms closer which is set to be the 3rd of December 2022. Pricing and opening hours are still yet to be confirmed and whilst all job vacancies are currently filled, there looks to be expansion when the hotel rooms are available. The site is where The Edinburgh Woollen Mill once stood at 38-39 Market Place, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 2JG.

Getting to Penzance is easy from any location really with plenty of bus links across the local road networks, those coming by rail will want GWR services to Penzance railway station. Walking by foot, head through the centre of town and you’ll find Game On Cornwall opposite Lloyds Bank and the Humphry Davy statue. For more information sign up for insider information on the website HERE.

I’d like to close out and wish Neil Potter, Amy Potter, Adam Trudgeon, Ella Stringer and the rest of the team, the best of luck with opening and every success in this new and exciting venture. I look forward to my first visit and many more to come.