London opens a free gaming lounge – and everyone’s invited

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EDITORIAL USE ONLYJodie Kidd attends the Virgin Media Gamepad launch event at The O2 in London. Picture date: Wednesday June 28, 2023. PA Photo. The event celebrated this weekÕs opening of Virgin Media Gamepad at The O2, which is a brand new, free to use space for gamers to play without limits. Photo credit should read: Rachel Adams/PA Wire

A BRAND-NEW free-to-play gaming lounge will be opened in London where anyone will be able to play.

It will even allow people to get an exclusive look and play games before they are released.

Jodie Kidd hanging out with the boys.

The Virgin Media Gamepad is part of the O2 Arena, and will be available to the public seven days a week. 

The aim is to offer a space for people to explore gaming which is completely free of charge.

It has also been designed with accessibility in mind, with a step-free layout and spaces suitable for those with sensory issues.

The Gamepad will consist of 16 gaming pods which will be equipped with Xbox Series Xs, Xbox’s highest performing console.

This space is now open, and one of the first games available is the recently released WWE 2K23.

All of the Xbox consoles are connected to an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate account.

This means that anyone who attends will be able to choose what to play from a library of hundreds of games.

Ultimate also allows players to play free-to-play games online so they can team up with and play against others.

It also features a streaming studio fully equipped with Elgato streaming gear, called The Stage, where famous streamers are scheduled to appear live.

The final part of the Gamepad is the Cave, a VIP game lounge which Virgin Media and O2 customers can book for up to four people to play in.

Former model Jodie Kidd was invited to the launch of the Gamepad, where she was the first to experience the gaming setup.

This is not her first foray into gaming. 

She also promoted Xbox Live in 2006 playing Project Gotham Racing 3 as a racing driver and car fanatic.

The Virgin Media Gamepad is open now and free to enter for anyone who drops by.

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.