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GC08 Dev Conference Sign Ups closing May 30

Zyuu — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:50:31 GMT

LEIPZIG, Germany - May 19, 2008

The GC Developers Conference (GCDC) today announced that the Call for Papers for this year’s conference will end on May 30th, at 11:59PM GMT. Prominent members of the games, information technology, and movie industries have the opportunity to submit speaking proposals for this year’s GC Developers Conference (August 18th-20th, 2008) until that time. GCDC is the leading international conference in Europe for game development and the business of games, and is expected to attract more than 1,000 professionals from the field this year.

The main topics of GCDC 2008 are online games, casual games, the latest server technologies, and new approaches to game design and development. The organizer, the Leipziger Messe, is accepting submissions for keynotes, presentations and workshops concerning development, business, mobile, research, and science in the games industry. Besides the focus on Europe and North America, Asia will be a larger focus this year as the show promotes global issues and solutions for the industry.

All proposals will be reviewed by the GCDC advisory board, which consists of internationally known experts and leaders from the games industry. The GCDC team will then notify speakers of their acceptance by the end of June.

Attendee Registration Now Online

Attendees can now register for the Games Convention Developers Conference online at: http://www.gcdc.eu.

GCDC 2007 Retrospective

In 2007 GCDC confirmed its status as Europe’s leading developer conference. 118 speakers gave insight on the latest trends in the video game industry, and the conference was attended by 940 visitors from more than 35 countries. Among the speakers were Bob Bates (USA, Legendary Game Designer and Writer), Julian Eggebrecht (USA, Factor 5), Tim Schafer (USA, Double Fine), Bruce Shelley (USA, Ensemble Studios), and Brian Sullivan (USA, Iron Lore Entertainment).

ION GC08 Empowers Online Game Developers

Zyuu — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:06:57 GMT

Over 500 global online game industry professionals connect at Seattle conference

SEATTLE, Washington, May 19, 2008 - Nearly a week of high-powered networking and knowledge exchange occurred at the online interactive entertainment-focused 2008 ION Game Conference in Seattle, starting from the early check-in reception on May 12th continuing through the closing keynote on May 15th.

2008 ION Game Conference Facts:

Over 500 attendees from around the world attended ION, an increase of about 50% from 2007.
Over 270 companies from game development, content delivery networks, middleware and other companies were in attendance.
19 countries were represented at the 2008 ION Game Conference
Nearly 70 lectures, mini-lectures, panels and roundtables
Over 110 speakers covering Community, Business/Legal, Programming/Technical, Research/Education, Design, Globalization topics.
ION in 2008 has been supported by 25 sponsors and 8 partners

ION keynote addresses were delivered by Won Il Sue, Vice President of Neowiz; John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment; Yat Siu, Founder and CEO, Outblaze and Sanrio Digital and Alex St. John, CEO of Wild Tangent. Networking opportunities were numerous and well-attended, including an early check-in champagne reception, the official ION reception at the Seattle Aquarium, and speed dating-style breakfasts over all three days.

"This year's ION was a huge step forward for Evergreen Events and for the many returning and new attendees who participated," proclaimed Peter Freese, Director of the 2008 ION Game Conference. "We delivered three days filled with content, networking, amazing food. We're already anxious to start planning an amazing experience for 2009 ION attendees."

The ION Game Conference is an annual Seattle-based game industry event designed for an experienced international attendee audience or those who strive to network and learn about new online game development and business trends. Visit the official website at http://www.ionconference.com for the latest news and information about the 2008 ION Game Conference. For more information about the global and diversified advisory board supporting the ION Game Conference, visit http://www.ionconference.com/advisors.php....

To keep informed about the latest news about ION and the online game industry, sent straight to your e-mail Inbox, sign up for the free ION Connection newsletter at http://www.ionconference.com/signup.html. To network and share news with fellow members of the online game development community, join up with the ION Network here: http://ionnetwork.ning.com.

LA Games Conference Brings Together the Industry

Zyuu — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:01:20 GMT

LA Games Conference Brings Together 300+ Top Media,Entertainment & Games Executives in Hollywood, May 21-22

Top Executives from EA, Disney, YouTube, Microsoft, Sony, G4, Spike TV, MTV, Nokia, Endemol, Qualcomm, Paramount, Vivendi Games, NBC Universal, I-play, DirecTV, Turbine, Playboy, RealNetworks, GSN, Playfirst and Glu Mobile to Converge for Annual "Insiders" Event

Los Angeles, CA (May 13, 2008) - Digital Media Wire today announced its agenda and list of confirmed speakers for LA Games Conference (http://www.lagamesconference.com/) to be held in Los Angeles on Wednesday & Thursday, May 21-22, 2008, at Hollywood’s Roosevelt Hotel.

This 2-day event brings together the leading game publishers, developers, carriers, portals, technology companies, advertising execs, venture capitalists, lawyers and analysts, to discuss the future of games and social media. Considered the “top event” for industry insiders, senior executives attend valuable sessions on online, mobile and casual games, covering consumer, investment, and advertising trends & other hot topics, network and do deals.

“Since last year's highly successful event with over 400 participants, we've had an ongoing dialogue with our amazing group of advisory board members about how to build on our success and make the event even bigger and better this year,” said Ned Sherman, the Event Chair and CEO/Publisher of Digital Media Wire. “This year's event will focus on "The Future of Connected Games & Entertainment" — a theme that reflects much of the innovation and mindset in the industry and provides a great platform to involve companies and participants from a broad range of areas — from game publishers and developers to technology innovators to online and mobile entertainment platforms such as communities, social networks, user-generated content platforms and virtual worlds.” Plenty of new ideas are sure to come of this "must attend" two-day event that brings together the industry's best of the best for two eventful days of high level discussions, networking and fun focused around the future of connected entertainment.

The conference covers the rapidly evolving landscape of online, casual and mobile games, the future of the consoles and the digital home and the growing relationship between the game industry, Hollywood, social networks and advertisers. Panels and roundtable discussions include:

Battle for the Digital Home

Is the Console the Entertainment Hub of the Future or Fighting to Stay Alive?

How to Win the Social Game

Harnessing the Power of Online Communities & Social Networks

Casual Games

What’s Next Now that Everyone’s Involved?

Killer Games

What Does it Take to Make a Successful Game?

Connected!

Innovations Driving the Future of Connected Games & Entertainment

Mobile Games

Challenges & Opportunities to Create a Mass Market Phenomenon

Advertising & Games

The Challenges & Opportunities for Brands & Games

Hollywood & Games

Is Hollywood Killing the Game Industry?

Attendees are over 300+ decision-makers from technology companies, wireless companies, industry bodies, gaming companies, advertising firms, attorneys, marketing companies, research companies and payment companies.

Speakers include:

Chris Early, General Manager, Microsoft’s Games for Windows
Brent Hurley, Strategic Partner Development, YouTube
Kay Gruenwoldt, Head of Industry Marketing, Nokia
Mark Donovan, CMO & Senior Analyst, M:Metrics
Andrew Wallenstein, Deputy Editor, The Hollywood Reporter
Geoff Keighley, Host, Spike TV's GTTV
John Welch, President & CEO, Playfirst
Mike Goslin, VP, Disney Online Studios
Lars Butler, CEO & Founder, Trion World Network
Mike Yuen, Sr. Director, Gaming Group, QUALCOMM Internet Services
Sandi Isaacs, SVP, Interactive & Mobile, Paramount Digital Entertainment
Eric Lavanchy, Director, Gaming, Endemol USA
Kate Connally, VP, AddictingGames, MTV Networks
Jill Braff, SVP, Worldwide Marketing & GM, Americas, Glu Mobile
Erica Chriss, VP of Strategy & Business Development, Greystripe
Ned Sherman, CEO & Publisher, Digital Media Wire
Spencer Hunt, VP, Game Production & Digital Product Development, Sony Pictures Television Int’l
Rob Uhrich, Senior Director, Digital Markets, PaymentOne
Julie Shumaker, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Double Fusion
Emmi Kuusikko, Director, User & Market Insight, Sulake Corporation
Teemu Huuhtanen, President, N.A., Sulake Inc.
Eric Goldberg, Managing Director, Crossover Technologies
Craig Sherman, CEO, Gaia Online
Matthew Bellows, VP of Consumer Strategy, Vivox
Barry Schaffer, President, Promotional Currency
Gabe Zichermann, CEO, rmbr.com / Advisor & Editorial Freak, Gamezebo
Craig Alexander, VP, Product Development, Turbine
Margaret Wallace, CEO & Co-Founder, Rebel Monkey
Scott Steinberg, Managing Director, Embassy Multimedia Consultants
Mike Vorhaus, Managing Director, Frank N. Magid Associates
Catherine Herdlick, Director, Game Production, GameLab
Peter Blacklow, President, Worldwinner.com
Steven Roberts, VP & GM, Games & Strategic Initiatives, DirecTV
Bill Kispert, VP, Interactive, NBC Universal
Mike Breslin, VP, Global Marketing, I-play
Russ Eisenmann, SVP, Marketing, Hands-on Mobile
Andy Reif, Commissioner & CEO, Championship Gaming Series
Cindy Cook, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Vivendi Games
Keith Boesky, Principal, Boesky & Company
Josh Krane, SVP of Interactive & New Media, G4
Keith Kane, SVP, Ad Sales, Giant Realm
Ranah Edelin, VP, Electronic Arts
Daniel Offner, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP
Robert Norton, VP, Business Development, King.com
Chris Lang, SVP, Research Strategies, SmithGeiger LLC
Stephen Jackson, CEO, Smashing Ideas
Matt Turetzky, VP, Non-PC Games, RealNetworks, Inc.
Dave Madden, EVP, Sales, Marketing & Bus. Development, WildTangent
Chris Petrovic, VP, Digital Media, Playboy Media Group
Jason Rubinstein, Senior Director, Entertainment, Mobile Devices, Motorola

Event sponsors and media partners include Nixon Peabody, LLP, Habbo, Sulake, PaymentOne, Promotional Currency, IGDA, Mary Margaret, Redline China, Pearl Research, South by Southwest Interactive, Casual Games Association, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Billboard Publicity Wire, Experiential Marketing Forum, DFC Intelligence, New York – Tokyo, and NVPR. For complete agenda, registration and event details please visit: http://www.lagamesconference.com/. In addition to LA Games Conference, Digital Media Wire will also host the 5th Annual Digital Media Conference in Washington, DC on June 26, which it produces in tandem with Potomac Tech Wire. Other prominent Digital Media Wire events include Digital Music Forum East & West, Future of Television East & West, Future of Film, Mobile Games Insider and The Millennials.

ION Game Conference 2008 - Not just gaming on the menu

Zyuu — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:51:28 GMT

Gourmet Food and Outstanding Content on the Menu at the 2008 ION Game Conference

SEATTLE, Washington, May 5, 2008 - In just one week, the greatly anticipated 2008 ION Game Conference will be set in motion in Seattle, Washington on May 13. The quality of attendees, sessions, and networking opportunities were among the high points at last year's conference. One of the most frequently praised amenities from the 2007 event was the lunches and snacks offered to attendees. In 2008, continuing to elevate the standards for game industry conference experiences, ION dishes up haute cuisine selected to complement the quality of the event's superb and renowned content.

The ION experience begins Monday night, May 12, at the official Welcome Reception, where attendees are greeted with a glass of fine French champagne and invited to stay for live music and tasty comestibles, including oysters, sea scallops, Vietnamese spring rolls, baked brie, and crudite martinis.

Won Il Suh, Vice President of Neowiz, presents the Tuesday, May 13, keynote, "State of Online Games: Partnership and Investment Opportunities Around the World". Mr. Suh addresses the potential and pitfalls of investment opportunities and partnerships in the high stakes world of the online game business. Attendees will profit from his first-hand experience in guiding Neowiz to be an international investment force while dining on a premium lunch buffet including minestrone soup with pesto drizzle; roasted garlic aioli; prime rib French dip with au jus; and tiramisu.

On Wednesday, John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment, takes on the heady question of what it takes to reinvent the tried-and-true massively multiplayer online game genre with his keynote, "Reinventing the MMO". During Mr. Smedley's talk, attendees can partake in Pacific clam chowder with Manila clams; Greek pasta salad with feta, tomatoes, red onion, and herbed vinaigrette; chicken kabobs with garlic, lemon, and rosemary; whole roasted salmon served on a cedar plank; and Washington apple tart with vanilla bean whipped cream.

Yat Siu, Founder and CEO of Outblaze, Typhoon Games, and Sanrio Digital, delivers his Thursday keynote lecture, "The Integration of Social Networks, Casual Gaming, and MMOGs". In his talk, Mr. Siu explores the powerful technological and social elements in online gaming, the proliferation of social networking, and the abundant population of untapped female gamers. As a complement to his keynote, lunch includes pho noodle soup; peanut noodle salad with toasted peanuts and green onions; California rolls with wasabi and ginger; and Mongolian beef with green onions, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.

Indulgences for the palette are not limited to the conference keynote lunches. Snack breaks will feature Häagen-Dazs® ice cream bars, premium Odwalla® juices, chocolate-dipped fresh fruit, CLIF® BAR energy bars, and much more.

Convenient online registration for the 2008 ION Game Conference is available until the end of the day Pacific Standard Time, Friday, May 9. An attendee pass at the 2008 ION Game Conference permits access to all keynotes, nearly 70 sessions and panels led by 110 speakers, the expo area, delectable lunches and snacks, as well as official conference parties. Attendees from hundreds of companies are already attending the 2008 ION Game Conference, representing a diverse global audience of executives and decision-makers.

Last Day for Early Reg Rate at ION Game Conference

Zyuu — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:55:55 GMT

Last Chance to Fly With the Early Bird Registration Rate for ION

SEATTLE, Washington, March 17, 2008 – Less than one day remains to save hundreds of dollars to attend one of the most high-powered, exclusive game industry conferences you'll find on the calendar this year - the 2008 ION Game Conference. Taking place in Seattle, WA, from May 13-15, this year's ION Game Conference is geared to compellingly engage representatives involved in the business and development of online games, virtual worlds and social networks across all platforms.

By purchasing a pass before March 18th, attendees can save about 30% off the subsequent rate and have access to every one of the nearly 70 peer-reviewed lectures and panels, every gourmet snack and meal break, and just about every other benefit the ION Game Conference features. From the dozens of speakers ION participants will enjoy, these are six of the latest to officially be announced:

Bruce Woodcock — MMOG Analyst, MMOGCHART.COM
Dana Hanna — Senior Producer, Microsoft Game Studios
Jason Roberts — Lead Gameplay Designer, 38 Studios
Sam Lewis — Lead Designer, Cartoon Network
Robert Ferrari — Vice President of Business Development, Turbine, Inc.
Steven Klebe — VP, Sales & BD, Danal, Inc. (BilltoMobile.com)

Above and beyond the savings guaranteed by registering early for ION, The Seattle Marriott Waterfront hotel, the site for the 2008 ION Conference and official event activities, is offering a special discounted rate for attendees of $209 for single or double occupancy. This rate is only available until April 14, 2008 and hotel rates will then be subject to market rates thereafter.

The ION Game Conference is an annual game industry event designed for an international attendee audience, for those who strive to network and learn about new online game development and business trends, at the highest level. Visit the official website http://www.ionconference.com for the latest news and information about the 2008 ION Game Conference. To review the global and diversified advisory board supporting the ION Game Conference, visit http://www.ionconference.com/advisors.html....

ION is Powered By:

2008 ION GAME CONFERENCE SPONSORS: BigWorld, Dolby, Enterprise Seattle, Goodwin Proctor, Kelley Drye, Omni Interactive Audio, Parature, PlaySpan, PLAYXPERT, PowerUp Games, Solid State Networks, Sony Online Entertainment and Vivox.

2008 ION GAME CONFERENCE PARTNERS: Association of Virtual Worlds, China GC Networks, MPOGD, Pearl Research and Themis Group

About Evergreen Events

Evergreen Events, Inc., (http://www.evergreenevents.org/), is an independent Seattle area-based producer of conferences and events for the interactive entertainment industry. Evergreen Events is dedicated to the enrichment of both established and aspiring professionals through innovative first-class events offering exceptional content that is compelling, educational, and cogent. Our directors and advisors bring over a century of collective successful experience and involvement in the game industry.

ION Game Conference logos, media, and art assets: http://www.ionconference.com/logo_art.html...

Press Contact:

Paul Philleo

Marketing Communications Advisor

Voice: 408-702-2697

Email: press@ionconference.com

GDC Coverage: Expo Pictures

Nimloth — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:38:17 GMT

So GDC is well on its way and Curse has of course taken part in most of the festivities. Although days have been spent running around from meeting to meeting, we do have some image reportage from the expo itself to show to you! GDC (Game Developers' Conference) is not the same kind of expo, but never the less, there has been a lot to see - even some really good looking girls!

You may find them all in our image gallery for GDC!

GDC Coverage: 7th Game Developers’ Choice Awards

Nimloth — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:56:46 GMT

Best Game

Gears of War (Epic Games / Microsoft Game Studios) - Cliff Bleszinski, Michael Capps, Rod Fergusson

Audio

Guitar Hero II (Harmonix Music Systems / RedOctane) - Jeff Allen, Eric Brosius, Izzy Maxwell

Character Design

Ōkami (Clover Studio / Capcom Entertainment) - Mari Shimazaki, Sawaki Takeyasu, Kenichirou Yoshimura

Game Design

Wii Sports (Nintendo) - Keizo Ohta, Takayuki Shimamura, Yoshiaki Yamashita

Technology

Gears of War (Epic Games / Microsoft Game Studios) - Michael Capps, Ray Davis, Tim Sweeney, Daniel Vogel

Visual Arts

Gears of War (Epic Games / Microsoft Game Studios) - Jerry O'Flaherty, Chris Perna

Writing

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo EAD / Nintendo) - Kyogoku Aya, Nate Bihldorff, Mitsuhiro Takano

New Studio

Iron Lore Entertainment (Titan Quest) - Paul Chieffo, Jeff Goodsill, Brian Sullivan

Innovation

Line Rider - Boštjan Cadež

Ōkami (Clover Studio / Capcom Entertainment) - Atsushi Inaba, Hideki Kamiya

Wii Sports (Nintendo) - Keizo Ohta, Takayuki Shimamura, Yoshiaki Yamashita

Recipients for the evening's special awards were:

Lifetime Achievement - Shigeru Miyamoto

First Penguin - Alexey Pajitnov

Maverick - Greg Costikyan

Community Contribution - George "The Fat Man" Sanger