We are pleased to be able to announce our first (international!) guest for PLAY Expo Blackpool 2024 - Q*Bert creator Warren Davis.

An influential figure in the video game industry, Warren is best known as the creator of the iconic arcade game Q*bert. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he developed a passion for technology and entertainment from a young age. Warren pursued a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering at Ohio State University, which laid the foundation for his future career in game development.

In the early 1980s, he joined the video game company Gottlieb, where he began working on arcade games. It was here that he conceived and developed Qbert, a game that featured a unique isometric pyramid and a colorful, jumping character. Released in 1982, Qbert became an instant hit, renowned for its innovative gameplay and distinctive sound effects. The game not only cemented Davis's reputation as a creative genius but also became a beloved classic in the arcade game world!

Beyond Q*bert, Warren has continued to contribute to the arcade industry, working on Joust 2, NARC and Terminator 2 as well as developing the digitising system for Williams/Bally/Midway. He later worked for Disney Interactive and Industrial Light and Magic, where he worked on a range of games and interactive entertainment. He was inducted into the International Video Game Hall of Fame in 2017 and he remains a respected and celebrated figure within the video games industry.

Warren will be with us on Sunday at PLAY Expo Blackpool where he will be giving a talk on his long career hosted by Paul Drury.