GC Developers Conference Expects Record Participation
GC Developers Conference (GCDC)
(August 20-22, 2007)
Leipzig, Germany - August 17, 2007 - Next week, leading experts from the international game development community will unite for the fifth annual GC Developers Conference (GCDC) in Leipzig, Germany from August 20th to 22nd, 2007. The organizers announced today that 850 attendees have registered for the event, breaking last year's record of 650 (2006).
Participants from over 35 countries will be present at GCDC 2007. 60 percent of the registered attendees come from abroad, with the majority of these visitors heralding from North America and Great Britain, the leading countries in game development. This year's conference will also include a significant number of developers from Eastern Europe.
The newly installed GCDC Advisory Board, consisting of renowned game industry experts like Bob Bates and Don L. Daglow, has secured a high profile program. The GCDC schedule includes over 120 pre-eminent speakers: With over 80 keynotes, lectures, panels and workshops, they will offer attendees essential insight into the current themes and issues of the industry.
Highlights of the first conference day include keynotes from Faktor5's Julian Eggebrecht (entitled "No Sex, No Drugs, and a Little Rock'n'Roll") and Nokia (entitled "The Next Generation of Mobile Gaming"), as well as the Business Development panel, consisting of Bob Wallace (Strategic Alternatives), Francois Masciopinto (ISM Agency) and Jeffrey Hilbert (DDD).
Several associations exist within the game industry, each attempting to further distinctive agendas, but all with the ultimate goal of benefiting the entire industry. The Association Panel on Tuesday will address the issues of recognition, political support of the game industry, and why each of the represented organizations are necessary in today's market. The panellists are André Peschke (Krawall Gaming Network), Andre Blechschmidt (RadonLabs/G.A.M.E.), Fred Hasson (Tiga), Gustav Stechmann (IGDA) and Joseph Olin (Academy of Interactive Arts & Science).
In his first ever appearance in Europe, game development luminary Tim Schafer (Double Fine Productions) will be giving the keynote speech at GCDC 2007. In his talk, entitled "Creativity and Games", Tim will speak on the methods of bringing creativity into modern game design, and the challenges entailed.
GCDC 2006 retrospective
Last August 21-23, 650 conference participants from 20 countries attended the GCDC in Leipzig. Speakers included Bob Bates (USA), Don L. Daglow (USA, President/CEO, Stormfront Studios), Graham Hopper (USA, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Buena Vista Games Inc.), Peter Molyneux (UK, President, Lionhead Studios) and Bill Roper (USA, CEO, Flagship Studios), among others.
Media Contacts:
Europe
Stephan Reiss, Press Officer, GCDC
+49 (0) 341 - 678 8186
s.reiss@leipziger-messe.de
North America:
Sean Kauppinen, Kohnke Communications
+1 415-777-4000
sean@kohnkecomm.com
Contact for sponsors, speakers and participants:
Frank Sliwka, Project Director, GCDC
+49 (0) 341 - 678 8288
f.sliwka@leipziger-messe.de
GCDC on the internet:
http://www.gcdc.e