Paris GDC 2008

For immediate release

PARIS - France – April 23, 2008– Mark Healey and Alex Evans, co-founders of Media Molecule, will deliver a keynote speech titled, “Media Molecule, Little Team, Big Ideas,” at this year’s Paris Game Developers Conference (Paris GDC). Healey and Evans will address the breadth of ways in which game developers can incorporate creativity into their designs. From god-games and sim-games to full-on modding, they will discuss the past, present, and future of user-generated content as illustrated through the story of Media Molecule’s conception and its first title, LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation 3.

Paris GDC, the second French edition of the Game Developers Conference - the premier event for developers and publishers in the videogame industry - is scheduled for June 23-24 at the Coeur Défense Convention Centre in Paris.

A veteran of the games industry since 1988, Healey is currently the Creative Director at Media Molecule. He has coded, designed, and contributed to game audio for Bullfrog Productions and Lionhead Studios. Having contributed to acclaimed titles such as Fable, Theme Park, and the Black and White series, Healey then led the development of the cult hit title, Rag Doll Kung Fu, which became available through Valve’s digital distribution system Steam, in 2007.

After writing software renderers for Bullfrog Productions, Evans joined Lionhead Studios where he worked on the 3D engine of the milestone title Black & White. In 2006, Evans and Healey formed Media Molecule, where he is the Technical Director, in hopes of bringing creative gaming to life on PlayStation 3. The result was the world-renowned LittleBigPlanet.

“The first build of LittleBigPlanet was the most fun and exciting game I played in 2006, leading up to its iconic reveal in Phil Harrison’s GDC keynote in 2007,” said Jamil Moledina, Executive Director, Game Developers Conference Events. “Yet one of the most tantalizing and little-discussed elements of the game is the degree to which the toolset empowers the gamer to become the developer. This represents a turning point in the game industry, and we anticipate the Paris GDC attendees taking voluminous notes in this detailed examination of the building blocks of this highly coveted title.”

“We are thrilled to have renowned industry figures Mark Healey and Alex Evans kick-off Paris GDC with the opening keynote address,” said Pierre Carde, Executive Director, Paris GDC. “This visionary talk encapsulates the main issues and trends developers are interested in hearing about and sets the stage for two days of exceptional content.”

Paris GDC 08 offers more than 50 sessions presented by industry experts and designed for developers looking to expand their expertise, network, and learn from their peers. Visit the Paris GDC website for the complete list of confirmed sessions. Videogame professionals who wish to take advantage of the Super Early Bird Rate and save more than 50% on their pass have until the end of the day to register online at www.parisgdc.com.

For further information, please contact:

CONNECTION EVENTS (Europe)

- Sophie Therrien, Communication and Marketing Manager, at: +33 4 26 23 41 21 or by email: stherrien[@]connection-events.com

- Clément Galiay, Project Manager, at: +33 426 234 121 or by email: cgaliay[@]connection-events.com

THINK SERVICES (USA)

- Loria Ryan, Marketing Manager, at: +1 415 947 6287 or by email: lryan [@]cmp.com

- Evelyn Donis, Conference Manager, at: +1 415 947-6204 or by email: edonis[@]cmp.com

Thank you to our main sponsors Imaginove and cap digital for their support:

The aim of the founders of the IMAGINOVE cluster / pole of competitiveness is to develop synergies between the different sectors of the moving image (video games, cinema, audiovisual, animation and multimedia) by encouraging anticipation and stimulating the innovation of professionals.

Cap digital is a Paris region business cluster for digital content: creation, knowledge and communication. Established as a non-profit organization, its 300 members represent the digital industry’s most active players in Knowledge Engineering, Digital Heritage, Audio-Visual & New Media, e-Education, Digital Lifestyle & Services, and Video Games.

About Connection Events

Connection Events is the co-organizer of the Paris Game Developers Conference, the French edition of the original GDC held yearly in California, which will take place in Paris on June 23-24 2008. Connection Events is also the organizer of Game Connection, the leading business event in the video game industry, usually taking place in Lyon (France) and San Francisco (California, USA) during the Game Developers Conference. Game Connection provides several different services all geared toward the same goals: matchmaking among outsourcing companies, tools providers, developers and publishers, network building and enhancement, and examination of projects and companies.

About Think Services

Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using innovative media, educational events, consulting, training and certification. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity with its products and services. The division's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer Management Institute, HDI (formerly the Help Desk Institute), and Dr. Dobb's Journal. Think Services is a subsidiary of United Business Media ( http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. To learn more, visit http://www.think-services.com.