back GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE Heads for Successful Premiere (News from: 07/03/2009) - More than 60 Exhibitors from Seven Countries Expected - Korea as First National Partner - Online Event Brings the Show into the Living Room The countdown has begun. In four weeks, the curtain goes up on the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE, the world's first computer game trade show focusing exclusively on browser, client and mobile games. From 31 July to 2 August in Leipzig, gaming fans will enjoy a big community party, trade visitors can inform themselves in the show's Business Center and the media will report on around 50 expected world and European premieres. In total, 40,000 square metres are being made available for the first edition of this gaming festival. "Leipzig has been known for years for its gaming competence. Here, innovations see the light of day, trends are born", says Wolfgang Marzin, CEO of Leipziger Messe. "With the GCO, we're continuing this tradition. For the first time ever, we're giving the rapidly growing market in online and mobile games a trade show of its own. The reponse so far has been overwhelming." At this point in time, 60 exhibitors from seven countries have already registered, among them market leaders Bigpoint and Gameforge, as well as Gamigo, Gaya Entertainment, paysafecard.com and XS Software. National partner for the first GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE is Korea. The pioneer and trendsetter in online and mobile gaming introduces itself at the trade show with a total of 18 companies. They include giants in the industry such as NHN Games, NCsoft, NEXON, NDOORS, Joymax and Paprika Lab. The professional area at the fair, the Business Center, is based in the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL). Alongside it, the general public area, the socalled Consumer World, extends over two exhibition halls and far into the outdoor area. Hall 2 is home to the classic games display, as well as the German final of the World Cyber Games; Hall 4 is reserved for the community event. Business Matching and Dialogue Conference Whether to get to know one another, to network or pave the way for business deals – decision-makers in the fields of entertainment, games development, IT, telecommunications, media, marketing, advertising and consulting cannot possibly miss out on the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE. "In Leipzig, aspiring gaming start-ups can meet up with experienced cooperation partners, online marketers can place their in-game ads and payment service providers introduce their new system solutions. This makes the GCO the number one port of call for the industry", says Silvana Kürschner, Strategy Director GC Global. With the help of an intelligent matching system, trade visitors can find out in advance of the fair which companies will be represented in the Business Center and can set up their first appointments. This avoids complicated consultations and simplifies the search for the right business partners. The Dialogue Conference for the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE is also based in the Business Center. Together with the prestigious Hans-Bredow-Institut, the Leipziger Messe has prepared an interdisciplinary programme without equal in this format. For two whole days, well-known speakers from the worlds of research and practical application take a close look at the up-and-coming market in online and mobile games. It has been possible to engage keynote speakers such as David Reeves, for many years CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE). New Games, Even More Fun The first place for gamers to go is Hall 2. Within several themed worlds based around the respective exhibitors, current games and spectacular premieres are available for them to try out. From roleplay through the strategy game classics to action blockbusters, the entire spectrum of online gaming will be here for the show's visitors. Top-quality events and informative special exhibitions enhance the exhibition area. Both the German final of the World Cyber Games (WCG) and the Samsung Mobile Challenge in particular promise nothing but sheer excitement. It will be noticeably calmer in the "Online4Family" section. Parents and their children, teachers, education experts and gaming beginners can find out from five media experts all about the various games and their age suitability. The issue of data protection on the internet as well as protection against viruses, trojans and worms will also feature prominently. The "Cult & Creation" section takes a look back into the past. In cooperation with the Berlin Computer Games Museum, the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE is providing a first-ever documentation of the history of online gaming. The most important stages and inventions along the path to the digital gaming world are shown on the basis of a time frame. Two protagonists in the development of online gaming will be here too, so that during the three days of the trade show, there will be an historic meeting between Ralph H. Baer, inventor of the first video game console, and Richard Bartle, developer of the first multiplayer online game. Visitors can look forward to spectacular computer restyles at the GCO MODDING MASTERS. For the sixth time now in Leipzig, there will be awards for the most creatively modified and original-build PC cases. Around 20 casemodders form all over Germany present their best works to an expert panel of judges and the critical public. The winner can look forward to one of the coveted casemodding trophies. Biggest Community Get-together in Leipzig Its distinctly event-based character is typical of the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE. "Strong networking among online gamers has produced big communities on the internet. To give them a central place to go in the real world, we are adding a gigantic community event to the classical trade show", explains Silvana Kürschner, Strategy Director GC Global. The focus here is the Community Stage in Hall 4. Young bands like Karpatenhund, Exilia and Luxuslärm will be giving concerts here and the latest anime films will be on show, lasting through to midnight each time. Along the way, communities from all over German introduce themselves and their own profiles. Several community lounges will be available for the individual guilds to have a quiet chat with one another. At Germany's biggest community event, sporting attractions cannot fail to be included too. A giant go-cart track will invite gamers to race against time. For those who prefer team sport it will be worth dropping in at the Beach Club on the outdoor area. This includes its own beach volleyball court against a backdrop of chill-out summer music. Whether they come alone or with their community: the GamersCamp at Leipzig's Festwiese is open to all gamers. In the immediate vicinity of the city centre, the campsite provides plenty of room for sleeping, partying and chilling out. A hotspot for fast access to the internet is also included on the site, of course. Touring the Fair Online True to its name, the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE is also an event on the internet. During the fair, current games from publishers exhibiting in Leipzig can be played at www.gamesconvention.com. As well as additional levels, otherwise fee-charging game items will be available free. In addition, several video streams will run with the fair's events. Among other items, it will be possible to follow online the game highlights from the World Cyber Games or talks given at the Dialogue Converence. Interviews with developers and detailed reports on the games will provide background information. The online event is rounded off by the GCO blog, several web radios and the 3D Club Cooee. Here, the fair is given a virtual recreation and can be visited from the comfort of the living room at home. Exhibitors present themselves in their own 3D spaces based on their real exhibition stands and receive visitors from all over the world. With the integration of video and image screens, they provide multimedia presentations of their games and products and can be in direct contact with their visitors through instant messaging. Contact for the press: Torsten Anke Phone: +49 (0) 341 / 6 78 - 81 98 Fax: +49 (0) 341 / 6 78 - 81 82 e-mail: t.anke@leipziger-messe.de Internet: http://www.gamesconvention.com