GAME STARS LIVE, EGN and EDF: SHOWS HOW THEY SHOULD BE DONE

Thursday 9 September 2004/... Following the debut of Game Stars Live, European Games Network and European Developer Forum in London last week, organiser London EventCo. has issued attendance figures and feedback from the events.

Attendance for Game Stars Live topped 51,400 across the five days. Saturday September 4th proved the most popular day, with over 17,000 visitors admitted through the doors. The first year attendance for Game Stars Live makes it the most successful UK gaming expo debut ever.

EGN attracted 3,700 of the industry's most important delegates across its three days, including 1,400 of the invited VIPs, 1,500 paying delegates and 800 members of the press. In all, delegates and press from 45 countries attended, with the trade show visitor feedback the most positive the computer and video games industry has had for years.

EDF, despite being conceived and launched by TIGA on only a 12-week lead-time, delivered an excellent programme, with a strong line-up of speakers, and a very respectable debut audience of 260 developer delegates.

"We're absolutely thrilled with these figures," said Kirsty Adams, Event Director, Game Stars Live, European Games Network, and European developer Forum. "With over 50,000 people enjoying all the very best that gaming has to offer, we really achieved our goals of hosting the greatest trade and consumer shows this country has ever seen."

Roger Bennett, Director General of ELSPA which owns EGN added: "Whilst we were always confident EGN would be the show the industry needs and wants, we're nonetheless delighted with the feedback from its delegates. The theme of 'getting back to business' was widely embraced and we know the delegates found the event very productive and relevant. EGN was always about the quality of delegates, and it certainly delivered. Although we've believed it since we announced the show, it's good to see the industry and press confirming there simply is no contest between EGN and any other trade event."

Fred Hasson, Chief Executive of TIGA commented: "The TIGA International Content Market within EGN was a tremendous success with all the exhibitors delighted with the quality of business contacts made. We were particularly pleased with the support we engendered for EDF amongst developers in such a short space of time. The bringing together of all the strands of our industry - developer, publisher, retailer, distributor and press has brought real benefits to the gaming community in its broadest sense.

Testimonials for the three events flowed from every sector of the gaming industry:

Tor Thorsten, reporter, Gamespot.com, said: "Overall, the spirit of EGN was of exclusivity and commerce - if you weren't there on business, you had no business being there... This year, EGN and its partners came out on top of the UK game-trade-show war. And unless ECTS does something drastically different, there may not be a rematch in 2005."

Steve Wilcox, Elite Systems commented: "We were really impressed with the show and the quality of attendees. For Elite Systems, it was great to get back to business in a modern exhibition facility. ECTS died last week, and it is obvious that EGN has replaced it as the only European trade show of note. Indeed, Elite Systems has already re-booked its stand for next year's show."

Cat Channon, PR manager, VU Games, hailed both shows a supreme triumph: "Game Stars Live has been a successful show all round. It's proved that the UK industry is still thriving and new games continue to capture the interest of the public. It's a perfect platform for the kids to get hands-on with the likes of Crash and Spyro, while EGN has complemented this with a strong trade forum."

Debbie Lash, Events and Promotions Manager, Eidos added: "The UK has been crying out for a showcase that unites trade and consumer, and the events at ExCeL this year were an incredible start to what will become significant dates in the games industry calendar. Game Stars Live was a particular success for Eidos. Being able to show off our portfolio of titles in such a dynamic and vibrant show was hugely beneficial. It's not often we're able to see first hand the reaction from our customers, and we were delighted with their reaction - particularly to Championship Manager 5 and Star Wars LEGO, which many claimed to be games of the show."

John Broomhall, Audio Director, BPL, revealed: "The response I've had to the EDF audio track has been fantastic - numerous emails praising the breadth and depth of content and indeed the quality of the speakers. People are already talking about what should be in next year's programme and volunteering themselves! The overriding feeling amongst my peers seems to be that it's been a real success and an excellent foundation to build on. At last - a proper audio track at a general EuroDevCon...thanks to all concerned for their support."

Jason Kingsley, Managing Director, Rebellion, added: "A great start for EDF, with a very healthy and passionate audience in attendance and some enthusiastic speakers who showed their dedication and expertise to an attentive audience."

Stephen Root, Head Of Audio, Criterion Games said: "I thought the day was very well put together and the content was extremely interesting. The programme covered pretty much all the different aspects of game audio - in one day - which is no mean feat. The midi to majesty session was fantastic! I'll definitely be at the next one."

Managing director of London EventCo. Rob Mackenzie said: "This was an astonishing debut for all three events. We have united trade and developers - under the umbrella of their respective trade associations - along with consumers, major exhibitors and leading media players. This unity has been hard won, but this is a brilliant start for events which will now become essential shows for the European games industry."

EGN and EDF 2005 will run from Wed 31st August - Friday 2nd September 2005, and Game Stars Live will run from Wed 31st August - Sunday September 4th at ExCeL's exhibition facility in Docklands, London.

Roger Bennett concluded: "We look forward to welcoming the whole industry and its consumers to ExCeL next year, so get those dates in your diaries now."