13 Jan PRESS RELEASE: guildford.games festival & Oakleaf announce partnership
guildford.games festival and mental health charity Oakleaf announce new three-year community partnership
Guildford, UK – 13th January 2026 – guildford.games and Oakleaf are pleased to announce a new three-year partnership designed to strengthen community wellbeing while celebrating Guildford’s position as one of the UK’s most influential hubs for game development. Oakleaf, which has supported hundreds of local people each year for more than 28 years through counselling, work-related training, wellbeing activities and employment support, brings vital mental health expertise to a festival that fosters collaboration and innovation.
As part of the partnership, Oakleaf will be guildford.games’ nominated charity for their 20th February festival, benefiting from exhibitor space with 50% of all ticket admissions being donated to support better mental health in Surrey. Oakleaf will also present the ‘Outstanding Studio Culture’ award at the festival’s awards ceremony, recognising a local studio going above and beyond to foster a positive, inclusive and healthy working environment.
The festival’s mission is twofold: to connect the studios who call Guildford home, and to inspire and support the next generation of developers.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with guildford.games,” said Chris Crooker, Partnership & Fundraising Manager at Oakleaf. “The festival champions creativity and connection – values that sit at the heart of Oakleaf’s work. Mental health affects people in every walk of life, including those who make and play games, and this partnership helps raise awareness of the support available locally.”
Now in its sixth year, the guildford.games festival brings together studios, students and players to showcase why Guildford is often called the UK’s ‘Hollywood of Games.’ More than 4,000 people attended last year’s event, taking part in hands-on demos, portfolio reviews, meeting creators, and hearing from developers across the town’s 60+ studios. Student tickets remain free to ensure accessibility for young people hoping to learn from industry professionals and explore future career paths.
This year’s festival features a keynote from Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games: the studio behind EVE Online. He is joined by a wide-ranging line up of speakers taking part in panels and sessions exploring development, art, production, collaboration, and the future of interactive development including Peter Molyneux (22cans), Amy Pejic (EA Criterion), Jo Koehler (Two Point Studios), Barry Meade (Fireproof Studios), and many more to be announced.
“We’re really pleased to be working with Oakleaf over the next three years.” said Lauran Carter, Comms Director at Liquid Crimson and co-organiser of g.g. “Our festival has always focused on the people behind the work – bringing developers together, supporting those starting their careers, and building a strong local community in industry that can be demanding and deeply personal. Mental health is a vital part of that, and this partnership helps make wellbeing an ongoing part of what we do.”
The partnership comes at a time when mental health support across the games sector is increasingly important. Although gaming is sometimes misunderstood, research consistently highlights its role in fostering engagement, personal growth, and inclusive networks. By joining forces, guildford.games and Oakleaf aim to show that both the games industry and local residents thrive when the people who make and play games feel supported, understood and able to reach their potential.
About Oakleaf
Oakleaf is a mental health charity based in Guildford, supporting adults aged 16+ who are managing their mental health. For over 28 years, the charity has offered counselling, work-related training, wellbeing activities and employment support, helping hundreds of people each year to build confidence, reduce isolation, and move toward brighter, more independent futures. Oakleaf is committed to creating a community where mental health is understood and never faced alone.
www.oakleaf-enterprise.org
About guildford.games
guildford.games is a community-led initiative celebrating Guildford’s position as one of the UK’s most significant hubs for game development. Representing a plethora of studios across the region, g.g exists to connect developers, inspire emerging talent and champion the town’s long-standing and ongoing impact on the global games industry.
Media Contacts
Chris Crooker,
chriscrooker@oakleaf-enterprise.org
01483 303 649
Lauran Carter,
lauran@liquidcrimson.co.uk
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