GCDC focuses spotlight on Europe

Organisers of the GC Developers Conference in Leipzig have told GamesIndustry.biz that this year's show will focus the spotlight on European developers, publishers and regional issues.

While still celebrating an international attendance, GCDC wants to be the meeting point where the US and Asian markets can meet with the European games industry and learn about new opportunities in the market.

"For us, the idea of understanding Europe is very important," commented Frank Sliwka, project director of GC Developers Conference.

"We want to put the spotlight on European themes and topics and to be a meeting point for experts from North America, Asia and Europe."

"For the first time we will offer business solutions for developers so as to help them to enter the European or the North American market," he revealed.

With plans for E3 in the US still unclear, Sliwka expects the Leipzig Game Convention and the GCDC trade event will attract a much larger audience in this, it's fifth year.

"Due to the absence of a big venue in the USA and, at the same time, the establishing of the Games Convention and GCDC in Europe, we would be very happy if professionals from around the world would find their way to Leipzig," he said.

Sliwka is promising to provide better services this year, with new conference halls and better facilities to host an even bigger event.

The organisers are also listening to feedback from attendees on how to better the experience, as the event grows to become the most important trade and consumer event on the European calendar.

"First and foremost, we meet with our attendees, exhibitors and speakers to include their suggestions and advices in our concept and strategy," detailed Sliwka.

"At the moment, we are preparing new conference rooms to shorten the distance between the programme parts. With our bigger facilities we can host more attendees and at the same time offer extra comfort.

"With the announcement of the advisory board we will further the strategic outline of the conference. We will focus on the internationality of the conference and welcome all developers from around the world to visit the GCDC and to profit from the networking opportunities, know-how and experience of the game development and publishing community,â he concluded.