Leading Developers To Discuss Asia Game Design And Business Opportunities On October 28, 2005

Austin, Texas - September 26, 2005 - Leading game developers from both Asia and North America will convene to discuss game design and business opportunities surrounding the growth of the video game market in Asia on October 28, 2005 in a special conference track hosted by the Austin Game Conference in Austin, Texas. The announcement was made by the Game Initiative, a leading producer of conferences and events for professionals in the computer and video game industry. Attendees have a chance to learn design, user experience differences as well as the business climate and government regulation issues. Austin Game Conference attendees also have the opportunity to network and connect with game executives from China, Korea and greater Asia who are attending the conference to explore new business and partnering opportunities.

"Understanding the Asian computer and video game market has become a hot topic of discussion and of paramount importance for the continued growth of the game industry," said Christopher V. Sherman, executive director of The Game Initiative. "The Austin Game Conference engaged industry experts with specific experience in the Asian market to present this topic, and Western developers and publishers will benefit greatly by participating. North American companies are eager to expand into the Asian market and similarly Asian companies are interested in increasing their presence in North America."

Topics covered in the Games in Asia track include: MMOG Design Differences in Asia and North America and an in-depth report on the Chinese Online Game Industry. Conference and track details are available at http://www.GameConference.com

Featured speakers and companies participating in the Games in Asia track at AGC on October 28, 2005 include:

- Eugene Evans, VP, Marketing & Business Development, Mythic Entertainment,Inc.

- Montgomery Singman, Chief Professor, Shanghai Theatre Academy

- Lan Hai Wen, CEO, Link China Entertainment

- John Needham, CFO, Sony Online Entertainment

- Joshua Hong, CEO, K2 Networks

Additional speakers will be announced shortly. Also participating in the conference are executives from GoPets Ltd., NCsoft, Game Creation Magazine, WEBZEN, America, Inc. and Secret Lair Studios.

The third annual Austin Game Conference (AGC), is the only conference dedicated to online game development. Conference tracks include: Multiplayer Business/Production Track; Multiplayer Design Track; Multiplayer Tech/Art Track; Multiplayer Service & Support Track; Mobile and Wireless Design and Profits Track; Future of the Development Pipeline; Next Generation Game Development and Games in Asia.

Earlybird registration - only $145 for game industry professionals - ends on September 30th. Attendees who register by September 30th save $50 off the full conference price. Registration can be accessed by logging on to http://www.GameConference.com . Conference Registration grants access to the Khronos Developer University (Oct. 26), the Austin Game Conference (Oct 27-28), the TechPavilion and Career Pavilion (Oct 27-28), the Women's Game Conference (Oct. 26-27), and the Game Writers Conference (Oct. 26-27).

Austin Game Conference Highlights Include:

Fast facts

- 8 tracks, 130 speakers, 2000+ developers attending, 10+ companies recruiting

- Microsoft / Xbox 360 will hold in-depth presentations covering Xbox 360Live/Marketplace, XNA studio and Next-Gen Graphics on Vista

- Conference Keynotes

Day 1 - John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment

Day 2 - Dr. Richard Bartle, Visiting Professor in Computer Game Design, University of Essex and creator of the MUD.

- IBM to Discuss Details of the Cell Processor

George Dolbier, IBM Senior Executive Architect for Games, will discuss details of the Cell Processor powering the next generation game platforms at the Game Technology Association meeting at AGC.

- Career Pavilion

Companies recruiting include Activision, BioWare Corp., High Voltage Software, THQ, Ensemble Studios, Midway and many others. For everyone at the show looking for a career opportuntiies this is the place to go.

- TechPavilion and Attendee Lounge

The TechPavilion showcases the latest tools, technologies, products and services. Booths and/or private meeting rooms are available. The Attendee Lounge Sponsored by Mythic Entertainment includes comfortable couches and chairs where attendees can relax and network in a casual environment. Free beer on Thursday from 1pm to 5:30pm.

- Khronos Developer University - This one day hands-on work shop on Oct. 26th provides up-to-the-minute training on industry standard APIs for embedded graphics and video processing.

- Official Conference Party sponsored by K2 Networks Inc. - a not to be missed event.

- Sponsors and Exhibitors include:

3Dconnexion, Inc., Academy of Art University, Activision, Alias, Anark Corporation, Animation Farm , Association of shareware professionals, ATI Technologies, Austin Community College, Autodesk, Avid Computer Graphics, Bigworld Pty Ltd., BioWare Corp., BuildForge, Inc., Business Wire, Develop Magazine, Dolby, Emergent Game Technologies, Ensemble Studios, Enzyme Testing Labs, Game instinct , Game Trust, GameDev.net, GamesIndustry.biz, GC Networks/Game Creation Magazine, Ginny's Printing, GoPets, Guildhall at SMU, Havok, Hybrid Graphics Ltd., iBeta, IBM Texas Credit Union, janimation Inc , K2 Networks Inc., Khronos Group, Mary-Margaret.com, Microsoft, Microsoft Casual Games Group, Microsoft Research, Midway, MobyGames.com, Mythic Entertainment, NCSoft, NVIDIA, Omni Interactive Media, Online Game Services, Inc., Power VR (PowerVR), Real Networks/Lifetime, Scaleform Corporation , St. Edwards University, TechExcel, THQ, The OGaming Network, UAT, and Versant Corporation

Recently added speakers in the AGC mobile conference include:

- Oliver Miao, CEO, Centerscore

- Junaha Hietala, COO, Rovio Mobile

- Paul Foster, CEO, Pick Up and Play

- Matthew Bellows, GM & VP Marketing, Floodgate Entertainment

Recently added AGC speakers include:

- Matthew Walker, Lead Programmer, Tabula Rasa, NCSoft

- Aaron Rigby, Senior Producer, Soul of the Ultimate Nation, WEBZEN America, Inc.

- Geoff Ramsey, Producer, Rooster Teeth Productions

- Steve Salyer, President IGE

- Sven Hindman, Director of CRM, Webzen America

- Larry Mellon, Chief Architect, VP (Engineering),Emergent Game Technologies

- Constance Steinkuehler, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Managing Guild Leaders

Women's Game Conference - The second annual Women's Game Conference (WGC) focuses on women in the computer and video game industry. The conference program will cover women as an essential market for game growth and diversity as a necessary tool for game development. Kris Soumas, Vice President, Interactive for Lifetime Entertainment Services will deliver the keynote address at WGC. http://www.WomensGameConference.com

Game Writers Conference - The first annual Game Writers Conference (GWC) is dedicated to the art and craft of game writing. GWC is guided by a group of leading game industry professionals: Susan O'Connor, Writer & Game Writers Conference Chair; Hal Barwood, Designer/Writer, Finite Arts; Dana Fos, User Experience Manager, Microsoft; Clint Hocking, Creative Director, Ubisoft; Patricia Pizer, Lead Designer, 4orty 2wo Entertainment. Conference details and registration information are available at http://www.gamewritersconference.com

TechPavilion and Attendee Lounge - The TechPavilion showcases the latest tools, technologies, products and services. Booths and/or private meeting rooms are available. The Attendee Lounge includes comfortable couches and chairs where attendees can relax and network in a casual environment.

About The Game Initiative

The Game Initiative is a leading producer of conferences and events for professionals in the computer and video game industry. The Initiative is chartered with the growth of the industry through events, public awareness, information and supporting programs and serves the needs of companies and people involved in producing interactive entertainment software and hardware for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the Internet. Game Initiative events include the Austin Game Conference, the Mobile Game Conference, the Women's Game Conference, the Game Writers Conference, the Advertising In Games Forum, the Casual Games Conference, Game Technology Association Meetings and the How to Break into the Game Industry national conference series. More information about The Game Initiative can be found at http://www.GameConferences.com

Contact:

Tim Williams

Austin Game Conference

512.289.8687

tw@gameconference.com