GamesFest is a UK gaming convention that runs in Tring, Hertfordshire and at the time of writing their website is down. In fact, Archive.org shows there’s been no website for months with the last content capture being in April last year.
However, the convention’s Facebook and Twitter accounts are live. The Facebook account feels relatively normal, mainly full of games and minis, while it advertises the upcoming convention, the Twitter account has gone into full-blown right-wing bigotry.
For weeks now the account has been retweeting extremist views about Brexit in the United Kingdom.
The account also spreads the anti-LGBTQ views of the white nationalist Stefan Molyneux.
Geek Native, until today, had followed GameFest on Twitter but had noticed none of this. The same may be true for the one and a half thousand or so followers the account still has. Twitter’s algorithm or simply the volume on content on the platform makes it impossible to catch every tweet.
However, GamesFest reacted to the new Kickstarter from Chris Spivey and Darker Hue Studios, Haunted West, accusing the alternative history game of making it as if white people never existed. It was this outlandish claim that brought greater attention to the worrying break down GamesFest seemed to be going through.
Twitter has begun to delete some of the more vile and outright hate speech.
Is it really GamesFest running the account?
Geek Native has not attempted to communicate with the far-right Twitter account. It is possible that someone, or a bot, has taken control.
However, the Facebook page continues to advertise a Gamefest for 2019 to be held in Tring on November 3rd. This social media profile has made no attempt to distance itself from the Twitter user sharing its name.
Update: GamesFest has deleted both Facebook and Twitter profiles.
Join the discussion and leave a comment below.
A very well balanced and thoughtful account. TBH I hadn’t considered the possibility of an account hijack.
For my part I just think it’s sad to have Twitter feasting on a titbit with “UK” and “con” attached. As someone who attends many (many) UK TTRPG cons I can attest that in my experience this isn’t typical of the wonderful convention scene in this country (though I’m a middle aged white male and admit I may miss some nuances).
Thank you. I agree I’ve never had a bad con experience in the UK. I’m also a middle-aged white guy. I’m Scottish, not English, though and that’s never been a bother down south.
It wasn’t taken over by a bit. The main co-ordinator is a far-right sympathiser with links to some very extreme organisations.
Should say bot
Thanks for the update about the portal. Really appreciated your effort. I have been playing DND and portraying my experience of playing this game hope you like it.
Toll the Dead 5e