NEoN Day 3

After being woken at three in the morning by some girl trying to annoy her boyfriend - surprised when a shaven headed bloke told her that she might want to try another door more quietly, or words to that extent - I was happy to have a sleep in as NEoN public didn't start until midday. The tempting offer of helping set up the event at 8:00 a.m. unfortunately forgotten in my sleepy haze.

The publics turn

NEoN public kicked off in style at midday and even at early doors a queue had formed with people looking for a taste of videogaming action. They weren't disappointed and this reviewer took the chance to slip off and interview Tommy Tallarico of Video Games Live fame, another coming exclusive from SquareGo, just how many of these are we giving you lucky readers at the moment?

Anyway Tommy's interview was excellent and definitely lifted the sleep from my eyes as I headed back to play some games. Given this was a first year there were less exclusives around but this had not stopped the public coming in droves to see what was happening. With a selection of games from all genres popular choices were Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games with the usual questionable Wii remote shaking gameplay. PES2010 which attracted a fantastic female following along with some of the upcoming games designers from Dundee, a city which definitely sets itself apart in the videogames industry.

Dare to be Digital winners were on show and each provided some great entertainment. We also had the games developed under the remit of black and white visuals with a great little Ying Yang competitive game. If this is the stuff they're doing at degree level then the future is looking bright.

Adventures in music

The big event of the day was Video Games Live (VGL) in the evening and the show certainly did not disappoint. Tommy Tallarico's touch was all over this show and the merging of classical music with videogames tunes and his endearing showmanship produced a concert unlike any I have seen before. Tommy knows the interactivity of the medium he works in and so audience participation becomes a major part of the show. He urges you to shout and applaud your favourite moments and certain characters may make appearances on stage.

All this is backed with streaming video of the games, unless they're owned by Square-Enix who are happy to allow their music to be played but not for their imagery to be used. Odd as fan favourites of these shows are music from Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy. Odder still that VGL exists to merge the industry with orchestral music, rock style lighting and participation to educate adults and children alike, drawing them together. This doesn't stop these marvellous pieces of music being enjoyed to the full.

Other favourites were Sonic, Mario, Megaman and Metal Gear Solid with a surprise being the music from Starcraft 2. The delayed start meant I had to leave during the second encore to get the last train back to Edinburgh, where I am writing this, but yet again the music has revitalised me. VGL is definitely something to see if you can.

So as a final word NEoN shows that Scottish gaming and the industry are here and hopefully here to stay and can attract major talent to the first of what is hoped is a regular Festival.

The force is strong in this one.

Oh Yes.