GC - Games Convention 2008 Starts with a Bang

GC - Games Convention 2008

(August 21 - 24, 2008)

Press & Trade Visitor Day: August 20, 2008

Leipzig, 29 February 2008

Spectacular light effects, interludes of interactive gaming and a top-class symphony orchestra - this is what makes up Video Games Live (VGL), the world's most successful concert series featuring game music. This year for the first time, the classic event is stopping off in Germany: at 8.00 pm on 20 August 2008, the VGL presents the official game music concert for the GC - Games Convention, Europe's biggest computer and video games fair. An audience of around 6,000 can look forward to a major musical event in the Arena Leipzig.

"I am delighted that with Video Games Live, we have been able to bring one of the internationally most successful game music events to Leipzig. The combination of classical music and interactive elements makes it an ideal prelude to Europe's biggest games festival", says Peggy Schönbeck, project director of the GC - Games Convention. Tommy Tallarico, the VGL producer, is also looking forward to the new partnership. "Video Games Live is the best way of making both video games and their wonderful music even better known. Anyone coming to our show will quickly see what a fantastic art form video games have become in recent years."

Conducted by Jack Wall, the Video Games Live Symphony Orchestra plays the best-known computer game melodies. The appearances of the American star pianist Martin Leung are particularly well worth hearing. For several years now, the exceptional 21-year-old talent has dedicated himself almost exclusively to the performance of well-known game melodies such as Earthworm Jim, Zelda and Final Fantasy. Leung's international breakthrough came in 2004 when he first performed the Super Mario title song blindfolded.

But fans of the classics will not be the only ones to have a good time at the GC 2008 game music concert. Parallel to the music, scenes from the various games will be shown on a giant screen. From wild Pacman chases and clever Tetris twists to dangerous Myst voyages of discovery - Video Games Live takes the audience with it on a multimedia time journey through the world of games. "Not just to give that special VGL feeling to the musicans onstage, but also to reach the whole audience, we have added many interactive elements to the concert", is how Jack Wall explains the VGL concept. Gaming has its turn too. A few lucky members of the audience have the chance to take part in an onstage interactive game competition. The evening also includes a specially arranged laser show and the appearances of many well-known game characters.

Tickets for the official GC 2008 game music concert can be ordered at all the usual ticket sales outlets, as well as at www.deag.de. The VGL combi-ticket also includes a day at the GC - Games Convention, where visitors to the concert can then try out the latest video games.

About Video Games Live

Video Games Live was first launched in 2005 by the American composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall. Together, they developed the idea of performing computer game music as a multimedia live event. Video Games Live creates a link between a young generation of game fans and passionate lovers of clasical music. More than 11,000 people flocked to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for the premiere on 6 July 2005. Since then, there have been numerous other concerts in America and Europe.

Contact for the press:

Torsten Anke, Press Officer

Phone: +49 (0) 341 678 7959

Fax: +49 (0) 341 678 8182

E-mail: t.anke@leipziger-messe.de

Contact for exhibitors:

Peggy Schönbeck, Project Director

Phone: +49 (0) 341 678 8281

Fax: +49 (0) 341 678 8282

E-mail: p.schoenbeck@leipziger-messe.de

Contact DEAG (concert organisers):

Stefanie Krisch, PR

Phone: +49 (0)30 810 75533

Fax: +49 (0) 30 810 75549

E-mail: sk@almsick.de

Internet:

www.gc-germany.com

www.gcdc.eu

www.leipziger-messe.de

www.deag.de