GCA preparation conference discusses Asia-Pacific challenges

More details on the forthcoming Games Convention Asia were revealed today in a media conference held in Singaporem focusing on the topic: "Opportunities for the Videogame and Interactive Digital Entertainment Industry in Asia Pacific - Focus on Integrated Multiplayer Gameplay".

Led by Joerg Zeissig, managing director of Leipziger Messe International - the organiser of the event - and moderated by Greg Unsworth of PricewaterhouseCoopers the group was made up of games industry representatives who discussed various topics around the challenges that the region faces, both in the future locally, and when it comes to competing on a global scale.

"We believe that Singapore is the gateway to the booming Asia-Pacific's videogame market since the game industry is strongly represented in the city-state with major players from all over the world having their regional headquarters here", said Zeissig.

And Unsworth added: "Asia Pacific is currently the largest market for the video game industry and we are expecting broadband proliferation and mobility to continue to drive tremendous growth in the region. Gamers will increasingly take up multiplayer online options and such developments will provide the opportunity for new business models and additional revenue streams for the industry."

Other panellists participating in the discussion included Feargus Carroll of Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, Phil Elliott, editor of GamesIndustry.biz, Allan Simonsen, coordinator of the Singapore chapter of the International Games Developers Association, Aroon Tan, president of GXA and Christopher Thompson, VP and GM for Electronic Arts in the Asia-Pacific territory.

Games Convention Asia 2008, will be held over 18-20 September at the Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore.