Get ready for a weekend of immersive adventures and creative insights as the Cymera Games 2025, Scotland’s leading celebration of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writing, kicks off its exciting programme this Friday, June 6th, through to Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
Based in Edinburgh, the festival offers a dedicated Games Space and a host of workshops and playable sessions perfect for game developers, students, and enthusiasts alike.
Located in the Highland Room (above the Festival Bookshop), the free, drop-in Games Space will be open from 10:00 AM until late on Saturday, June 7th, and Sunday, June 8th. It’s designed as a welcoming hub to play a variety of tabletop games, with experienced hosts on hand to guide players. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own board games or RPGs to share.
Beyond the drop-in space, Cymera boasts a rich schedule of specific game sessions and workshops, many of which are free or “pay what you can” (though booking is advised as spaces are limited). This is a fantastic opportunity for the Scottish games community to connect, playtest new ideas, and learn from established creators.
Highlights of the Cymera Games 2025 programme include:
- Tabletop & RPG Sessions: Dive into social deduction with “Blood on the Clocktower” hosted by Fiona Leslie (running Friday and Saturday evenings), explore weird science fantasy in “TRACK DOGS: Down and Drowned” with Alexa MacBett (Saturday morning), or embark on D&D adventures like “The Golden Tower” and “The Lost Idol” with Matt Noel (Saturday). There are also “Players’ Choice: Board Games” sessions with an extensive library provided by Blackwells Books (Saturday). Sunday features more unique RPGs like the sci-fi playtest “Aster” with Robert Gelb, folk horror with “Worm Moons and Mad Hares and Mayhem Oh My!” by ABS, and a Warhammer 30k LARP, “A Council at Nikea” with Roderick Easton.
- Live RPG Event: Don’t miss “Inside the Rookery: Live from Cymera” on Saturday evening, a free live RPG shindig with The Rookery team (Andy Law, Andy Leask, Graeme Davis, Mark Gibbons, and Lindsay Law) and special guests Lynne Hardy and Stuart Boon.
- Writing Workshops: For those looking to hone their craft, there are dedicated workshops. Lynne Hardy will host an “RPG Writing Workshop: Hitting the Right Note” on Saturday afternoon, exploring the nuances of writing RPG scenarios versus short stories. Acclaimed author and game writer Stark Holborn will also run a “Video Games Writing Workshop” (details on the main Cymera programme, note this is a ticketed event).
- Meet the Creators: Many sessions offer the chance to play games run by their designers or experienced GMs, providing a unique opportunity to chat, learn, and give direct feedback.
The festival offers a safe and friendly environment for all attendees.
Whether you’re looking to discover new tabletop experiences, delve into the art of game writing, playtest upcoming titles, or simply connect with fellow games enthusiasts and creators in Scotland, the Cymera Festival’s games strand offers something for everyone.
To explore the full games programme, check session times, and book your free or ‘pay what you can’ tickets for specific events, head over to the Cymera Festival website: https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/cymera25-games
Don’t miss out on this exciting weekend of games and speculative fiction!