For the seventh time, Leipzig will become a mecca for the international video- and computer-games industry. From 21 to 24 August 2008, the games industry, trade visitors, media and, not least, gamers will meet again at GC – Games Convention. This edition of Europe’s leading trade show for interactive entertainment, infotainment, edutainment and hardware will be more international than ever.
“This August, Leipzig will once again become the epicenter of the digital universe. GC – Games Convention 2008 will again be innovative, exciting and global. We expect more international exhibitors and guests than ever before,” says Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Management Board of Leipziger Messe. Almost every market leader in the industry will attend Europe’s leading video- and computer-games trade show in around four weeks. Approximately 500 companies will ignite a firework display of innovation across 115,000 square meters at the Leipzig exhibition grounds—compared with 503 exhibitors in 2007—featuring action, breathtaking game design and avant-garde parallel worlds.
Exhibitors from 28 countries have registered so far, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Russia. “With more than 250 world, European and German premieres available to play immediately, GC – Games Convention will fuel gaming fever,” says Marzin.
A new hall concept will make it easier to find the way around GC – Games Convention. In the Software Entertainment area in Halls 2, 3 and 5, console providers and leading publishers will present the latest video and computer games. Hall 4 will feature new hardware and accessories. A new connecting passage between Halls 4 and 5 will divide visitor flows and provide more relaxed transitions. On the large outdoor grounds of the New Leipzig Trade Fair, the GC Beach Club will invite visitors to enjoy fun sports and relax.
GC Business Center: Trade-Visitor Oasis Expands
The GC Business Center is heading toward a participation record. “To make the stay even more pleasant, we have expanded the meeting point for exhibitors, trade visitors and journalists from 30,000 to 40,000 square meters,” says Peggy Schönbeck, Project Director of GC – Games Convention. This year, the GC Business Center occupies the entire Congress Center Leipzig, all of Hall 1 and half of Hall 2. It expects another increase in trade visitors, following 12,300 attendees from 40 countries in 2007.
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“This year, we are also offering the all-inclusive Marketplace package for the first time: a fully equipped group stand with an information counter, meeting lounge, café bar and additional services,” says Schönbeck. “Exhibitors can concentrate entirely on their business.” The Developers Village in Hall 2 is designed especially for emerging developers and includes international group participation from Finland, France, Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Taiwan, among others. Exhibitors can make contact with publishers there.
For the first time, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology is supporting young German companies’ participation in GC – Games Convention as a springboard to the international market. This support was made possible by the ministry’s recognition of GC – Games Convention as a leading international trade show.
“Level 1 – Learning to Play” at GC Family
GC Family in Hall 2 once again sees itself as a gateway to the digital world of games for educators, parents and newcomers. Its focal points are child-friendly games and media literacy. Under the title “Level 1 – Learning to Play,” the games arena will attract visitors with interactive competitions. At five game islands—Learning, Multiplayer, Children, Teenagers and Family—visitors can test current educational games and software for families and children. Media experts such as Professor Hartmut Warkus, Professor of Media Education at Leipzig University, will explain the offerings and answer every question.
GC Freestyle – The Gamer Camp
When the exhibition halls go to sleep in the evening, the gamer’s day is far from over. Visitors can camp, relax and continue gaming at “GC Freestyle – Gamer Camp” on Leipzig’s Festwiese near the Zentralstadion, right in the heart of the city. From 20 August 2008, it will offer space for more than 5,000 tents, along with DJ music, fun sports and free Wi-Fi. Tickets for four nights at GC Freestyle – Gamer Camp cost EUR 130, including a full-event ticket for GC – Games Convention and free public transportation to the exhibition grounds. A short stay with one overnight stay and a one-day GC ticket costs EUR 38.
Specials: Special Trains, Extra Buses, Special Prices
Deutsche Bahn will transport exhibitors and trade visitors quickly and conveniently from any German DB station to GC – Games Convention and back for EUR 99 in second class or EUR 159 in first class. The tickets are valid from 18 to 26 August 2008 on all DB trains, including ICE services. The hotline is 01805-31 11 53; quote “Games Convention.”
For GC day-trippers, Deutsche Bahn will once again operate special trains, even featuring DJ cars: from Munich on 21 August and from Cologne on 23 August. Return travel including admission to the show costs EUR 79 from Munich or EUR 69 from Cologne.
Connex is also offering Rail & Play: the one-day InterConnex combination ticket takes GC fans from Berlin to Leipzig and back on the same day for EUR 39, including admission to the show. InterConnex will even make additional stops at Leipzig Messe station, only a few minutes’ walk from the entrance to the public halls.
For the first time, Leipziger Messe and Connect GC are organizing a nationwide bus service. On the show Saturday, coaches will be ready in more than 30 German cities to travel directly to the gaming mecca without intermediate stops, provided at least 50 people register in each city. Bus-transfer prices depend on distance: a return trip from Berlin costs EUR 39, for example, while the price from Munich is EUR 56.
All travel offers for GC – Games Convention are available at http://ww.gc-germany.com/Besucher/Anreise.
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Convenient Arrival by Air
Air connections to Leipzig will also be expanded during GC – Games Convention to support convenient travel from around the world. Larger aircraft will be used for scheduled services, and additional charter flights to London will be offered.
Spectacular Opening Concert: Video Games Live
The cult show Video Games Live will open this year’s GC – Games Convention at Arena Leipzig at 8:00 p.m. on 20 August 2008. A magnificent orchestra, a powerful choir and gigantic lighting effects will mark the German premiere in Leipzig of the video-game music event from the United States.
Visitors can expect a major musical event. The Video Games Live symphony orchestra under conductor Jack Wall and 21-year-old American star pianist Martin Leung will perform hits from legendary games including Halo, Final Fantasy and Tomb Raider. While the music plays, game scenes will race across a giant screen, actors will take on the roles of digital characters, and especially courageous visitors can compete on stage. A laser show will provide a special highlight. Ticket hotline: 01805-969000555.
Exclusive Media and Trade-Visitor Day
On 20 August, one day before the exhibition halls open to the public, media and industry representatives will be able to learn about the latest products and try everything out at their leisure.
Long Gamer Weekend
On Friday, 22 August, and Saturday, 23 August, the GC – Games Convention exhibition halls will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Thursday, 21 August, and Sunday, 24 August, they will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
