GC exhibitors occupy a total of 115,000 square metres in the exhibition halls and outdoor areas, compared with 112,500 in 2007.
Leipzig’s GC — Games Convention is therefore continuing its rapid success story. Since its 2002 premiere, the fair has grown every year in exhibitor, visitor and rented-floor-space figures. Europe’s leading industry fair remains true to form this year, said Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Management Board of Leipziger Messe GmbH: “During these days, Leipzig is the centre of gravity of the European games industry. The industry is looking towards Leipzig and eagerly awaiting the signals that the year’s most important fair will send to the German and European markets.” The fair’s importance is also demonstrated by the number of premieres, which has increased by 50% from last year. The list contains 300 world, European and German premieres, compared with 200 in 2007.
Exhibitors from 32 countries are participating in GC — Games Convention, compared with 31 in 2007, including France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain and the United States. As in previous years, almost every industry market leader is represented, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Sony and Ubisoft.
New Hall Layout Shortens Walking Distances
A new hall concept makes orientation at GC easier this year while reducing walking distances. The Software Entertainment area awaits visitors in Halls 2, 3 and 5, where console suppliers and leading publishers present the latest video and computer games. Hall 4 is devoted to new hardware and accessories. Two new connecting tubes between Halls 4 and 5 provide a more relaxed transition. The outdoor areas behind Halls 2 and 4 are also in use, where the GC Beach Club and several exhibitors offer fun sports. Alongside a large beach-football pitch, an all-terrain-vehicle course awaits action-seeking gamers.
GC Business Center: More Space for Games Business
While enthusiastic players are catered for in the public halls, trade visitors and press representatives are welcomed in the GC Business Center, which offers a quiet working environment away from the bustle of the fair. “Because of strong exhibitor demand, we have expanded the GC Business Center from 30,000 to 40,000 square metres. It therefore comprises one third of GC’s total exhibition space,” said GC Project Director Peggy Schönbeck. The GC Business Center occupies the entire Congress Center Leipzig, all of Hall 1 and half of Hall 2. Alongside the expansion, management expects another increase in trade visitors, following 12,300 from 40 countries in 2007, and journalists, following 3,395 from 46 countries in 2007.
Leipziger Messe is supporting GC Business Center exhibitors through its new Marketplace service. “To simplify trade-fair preparation, we offer companies a fully equipped joint stand including services, enabling them to concentrate entirely on business,” Schönbeck explained.
The Developers Village in Hall 2 of the GC Business Center is intended especially for emerging developers and includes international joint presentations from Finland, France, Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Taiwan. Young exhibitors can establish contacts with major publishers there to bring their innovative ideas to market.
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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 onto the international stage. Eligibility for this support and participation in the GC Startups joint stand in Hall 2 depends on the ministry’s recognition of GC — Games Convention as an international leading trade fair.
GC Job and Career Day on Friday
Digital games not only provide entertainment but also create an increasing number of jobs. In the GC Job & Career area in Hall 2, school and university students and young professionals can learn about careers and entry opportunities in the games industry. While renowned experts introduce different job profiles in the GC Forum, universities nearby provide information about computer and video-game courses. Anyone considering a games career should reserve Friday of the fair: during the official GC Job & Career Day, human-resources representatives from exhibiting companies will answer visitors’ questions.
“Level 1 — Learning to Play” at GC Family
GC Family in Hall 2 again sees itself as a gateway into digital games for educators, parents and newcomers. This year’s priorities are child-appropriate games and media literacy. At its heart is the games arena, which invites visitors to interactive competitions under the title “Level 1 — Learning to Play”. Visitors can also try current educational games, family and children’s software at five games islands entitled Learning, Multiplayer, Children, Young People and Family. Media experts including Professor Hartmut Warkus, Professor of Media Education at Leipzig University, will explain the offerings and answer questions.
Games as Art: GC ART 2008
Four GC ART exhibitions in Hall 2 of the Leipzig exhibition grounds show how art merges with digital game worlds. “Space Invaders: From Outer Space”, organised by Computerspielemuseum Berlin and GC — Games Convention, honours the classic on its 30th anniversary. At its centre is artist Douglas Edric Stanley’s large interactive installation “Invaders!”, in which players control a virtual cannon using their whole bodies. The large retro-gaming event “History & Culture” journeys into the history of digital gaming, with retro clubs from Germany and France presenting prized pieces from previous decades. The special exhibitions “Machinima” and “Digital Beauties” demonstrate the creative possibilities of computer games and new technology. Visitors can participate actively in workshops.
Casemodding@GC in Hall 4 reveals creativity of a different kind: inventive computer enthusiasts transform once-monotonous gaming-machine cases into small works of art using acrylic glass, paint and lighting effects. More than 30 gamers will present the most imaginative PC conversions and reveal case-tuning techniques.
GC Freestyle — The Gamer Camp
When the exhibition halls quieten in the evening, the gamer’s day is far from over. At GC Freestyle — Gamer Camp on Leipzig’s festival grounds beside the Zentralstadion, directly in the city centre, visitors can camp, relax and continue gaming. From 20 August 2008, the site offers space for more than 5,000 tents, together with DJ music, fun sports and free Wi-Fi. Tickets for the camp with four nights cost €130, including full-event admission to GC — Games Convention and free public transport to the exhibition grounds. A short stay with one night and a GC day ticket costs €38.
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