GameX

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Thursday, April 2, 2009---Philadelphia, PA--- The Games & Media Expo today announced the unveiling of its games industry conference, The GameX Industry Summit. Co-located with The Games & Media Expo (GameX), October 23-25, 2009 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, GameX Industry Summit is presented by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) chapters in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Game industry professionals are invited to submit session proposals and convene on the Greater Philadelphia Convention Center for two days of games-focused lectures, panels, roundtables and keynotes from the best and brightest minds in the games business. In addition, GameX Industry Summit attendees are invited to attend GameX, the only major game convention in U.S. supported by a major media sponsor, NBC Local Media in Philadelphia – WCAU TV/NBC 10.

Wade Tinney, CEO, Large Animal Games and chapter president of IGDA New York, offers, “This event will gather some of the top game developers in the country for two days of focused discussion around best practices and innovation. We’re excited to work with the folks at GameX to produce a unique conference for our fellow game developers, with thought-provoking content organized along two tracks, a ‘Right Brain’ Creativity Track and a ‘Left Brain’ Leadership Track.

Coray Seifert, game designer at THQ's Kaos Studios and chapter president of IGDA New Jersey, adds “As a member of the IGDA board of directors with an eye to our East Coast presence, I am extremely excited to see the IGDA continuing to serve its members by presenting a solid games industry conference in an area that has been traditionally under served by other major industry shows. It will be excited to show the world what East Coast game companies can offer in terms of career opportunities and game development innovation, and I look forward to some outstanding talks from our industry's best minds.”

Alexander Horn, lead designer for X Points Game Studio and chapter president for IGDA Philadelphia, talks more about the programming focus, stating, "There’s been great excitement about our Right Brain track, which will help game developers working in the content and creative management side of the industry get in touch with their inner (or outer) creative, covering topics in game art, game design, and game audio with game development visionaries from top game companies.”

Tronster Hartley, senior programmer for Firaxis Games, owner of Geek House Games, and chapter president of IGDA Baltimore, explains further, “The Left Brain track will reveal the best practices, business strategies and production methodologies which result in successful, shipped titles. This track will feature appearances by studio heads, producers and notable games industry businesspeople. We are excited to have this opportunity to welcome game experts to participate in GameX Industry Summit and share their knowledge with game developers on the East Coast.”

Fiona Cherbak, vice president of business development for GameX, and chair of IGDA Women in Games, states, “We know there is a high level of interest amongst the East Coast game industry to demonstrate their product innovation, business longevity and marketplace value to the rest of the global game community. With the tremendous programming support and involvement of the IGDA, the GameX Industry Summit is guaranteed to deliver on this promise.”

Game industry representatives interested in responding to the GameX Industry Summit “call for proposals” can review proposal guidelines online at www.gamexpo.us and e-mail their questions and final proposals to: proposals@gamexpo.us. The deadline for final proposal submissions is Monday, June 15.

About the International Game Developers Association (IGDA)

www.igda.org

The International Game Developers Association is the largest non-profit membership organization serving individuals that create video games. The IGDA is committed to advancing the careers and enhancing the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community.

About GameX

www.gamexpo.us

The Games&Media Expo is a national game consumer show and ‘pop culture’ festival produced by Virtual Rush Gaming and NBC Universal, designed to draw from local, regional and national audiences of game players, film and TV fans, comic book buffs and tech enthusiasts.

To learn more about the IGDA chapters in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore and Philadelphia, please visit www.nycgames.org, www.njchapter.com, www.igda.org/baltimore and www.igda.org/philly.

For more details regarding the GameX Industry Summit, contact Morgan Ogburn, ThemePark Studios, 512/916-9633 or morgan@themeparkstudios.com.

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