Games Convention Online 2009
28,000 visitors clocked in by the half-way point.
GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE
(31 July - 2 August 2009)
Leipzig, 01 August 2009
The second day of the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE saw hordes of gaming fans flock to the halls of the Leipziger Messe. Organisers counted a total of 28,000 visitors at the halfway point of the first fair for browser, client and mobile games worldwide. "The GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE is on course to record a successful premiere," said Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Board of Management at Leipziger Messe, "exhibitors are reporting numerous business contacts and a great mood amongst the visitors."
"The decision to exhibit at the GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE has proved to be the right one," says Michael Dilger, Head of Strategy at PixelPlaying GmbH & Co. KG. "The entire online games sector has gathered here and we have been able to address our target group directly. The fact that a fair is focusing specifically on online games is very liberating for us."
Similarly satisfied is Insung Park, Business Development Manager of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). He points to the numerous discussions between Korean companies and trade visitors in the Business Center. "We have been able to mediate several strategic partnerships between Korean publishers and German companies. The best example of this is GameUS, whose new game 'Heroes in the Sky' will be launched on the gamigo portal in November. The free-of-charge 3D-MMOG flying game enables up to 50 players to compete against one another simultaneously in action-packed missions.
The final day of the parallel Dialogue Conference saw intense discussions between participants. The programme included several papers and discussions on the role of online communities. The critique and suggestions of the community represent an opportunity for developers, says Michael Bilitewski, Member of the Supervisory Board of Gilde Gothic. "For example, after the launch of Age of Conan users helped to reveal weaknesses." He consequently wishes to see better community interfaces within online games in the future.
One highlight in the public area was the Cosplay competition on the Community stage in Hall 4. Numerous gamers in costume faced the scrutiny of an expert jury from the animation and manga association Animexx. In addition to creativity, points were also awarded for the handwork input.
Contact for the Press:
Heike Fischer, Director of Press Department
Phone: +49 341 678-8181
Fax: +49 341 678-8182
E-mail: h.fischer@leipziger-messe.de
Torsten Anke, Press Officer
Phone: +49 341 678-8198
Fax: +49 341 678-8182
E-mail: t.anke@leipziger-messe.de
Internet:
www.gamesconvention.com
www.leipziger-messe.de