Speculative fiction and game design have always shared a common heritage. If you examine the foundations of modern narrative design, the link to sci-fi, fantasy, and horror is obvious. In an era where players expect increasingly complex, system-driven storytelling, the ability to build cohesive and convincing worlds is one of the most valuable skillsets in game development.
This is why I am pleased to highlight the return of Cymera 2026 – Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing – which will take place at The Pleasance in Edinburgh from 5 to 7 June 2026.
The curatorial team behind this year’s games line-up includes several well-known figures from the Scottish games sector, highlighting a mature and deliberate collaboration between our literary and interactive communities. While Cymera is celebrated primarily as a literary festival, it has built a highly structured and professionally relevant tabletop and RPG programme that deserves the attention of the wider games industry (and is a whole lot of fun).
Exploring the Cymera Games Space
At the heart of the weekend is the dedicated Cymera Games Space, located in the Highland Room above the Festival Bookshop. Open on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am until late, this drop-in space is designed to foster connection, play, and live feedback for both tabletop enthusiasts and developers.
For the narrative design community, the scheduled RPG and tabletop sessions offer a practical demonstration of interactive storytelling in action. A few (of the MANY) highlights of the Cymera 2026 games programme include:
- Under A Yellow Moon (Friday 5 June, 5:00pm – 8:00pm): A live-play Call of Cthulhu RPG session written specifically for the festival by the actual-play podcast team Narrative Damage. Set in 1890s Edinburgh, the game features several prominent Cymera authors navigating a custom-designed mystery. The event is free to attend, with no prior booking required.
- The Games Showcase and Panel Sessions: On Saturday afternoon, the team behind Inside the Rookery will host a live RPG broadcast, analysing the mechanics of interactive narratives and world-building alongside a panel of industry experts.
- Curated RPG Sessions: Throughout Saturday and Sunday, attendees can book dedicated slots to experience a range of tabletop systems. These include Hunt The Gowk (produced by industry legend and friend of SGN, ABS…) , a card-play session of Dark Deeds, and The Family – a GM-less, diceless reverse-horror RPG where players coordinate the actions of a thriller-style antagonist group.
- Blood on the Clocktower: The social deduction game will host late-night sessions on Saturday and Sunday, providing a study in player interaction, hidden information, and emergent narrative.
- Much, MUCH more…
Whether you are a writer, narrative designer, developer, reader, gamer, or simply have an interest in the worlds of speculative fiction, having a festival with the sheer range of care and creativity Cymera 2026 brings, is a wonderful thing. Many sessions are free to attend, or offer low-cost options. It’s a beautiful, collective, welcoming approach, which the games sector could learn much from.
Ticket and Registration Details
The full festival programme features over 50 events and more than 70 authors, offering a hybrid format with in-person sessions at The Pleasance, live streams on YouTube, and digital workshops via Zoom.
While the Games Space and several live-play events are free to access, capacity is limited, and individual panels and workshops require ticket registration. Day passes are also available for Saturday and Sunday, providing access to all scheduled panels and subsequent catch-up recordings.
I encourage our community of developers, writers, and designers to support the festival, secure their tickets for the sessions, and participate in these awesome creative conversations.
Explore the games programme and book spots: Cymera Games 2026
View the full festival schedule and buy passes: Cymera Festival 2026
Image courtesy of Cymera Festival.