Leading online-game companies including BIGPOINT and GAMEFORGE support Leipzig’s new trade fair.
GAMEFORGE 4D CEO Carsten van Husen argued that the size and growth of online games required a dedicated European industry platform. He described Germany as a suitable venue because of the international position of its domestic online-game sector. GAMEFORGE reported more than 65 million registered players across titles offered in over 50 languages, with up to 300,000 new registrations per day.
BIGPOINT CCO Nils-Holger Henning welcomed the recognition created by two major German games fairs and supported Leipzig’s focus on online and casual gaming. He said international trade fairs demonstrated the sector’s need for exchange, while the show’s consumer and business areas could address audiences specifically interested in online games. BIGPOINT described itself as a major browser-game portal and reported more than 150,000 registrations per day across 30 languages.
Leipziger Messe managing director Wolfgang Marzin said the Games Convention brand gave GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE a strong starting position. He identified browser, client and mobile games as the foundation for rapid development of the new fair and expected faster broadband and mobile standards to accelerate German adoption.
Market figures cited by the organizers supported that outlook. The 2008–2012 Global Entertainment and Media Outlook predicted worldwide growth of almost 20 percent for online and wireless games while PC-game revenue declined by an average of 1.2 percent. German household broadband penetration was projected to rise from 44.5 percent in 2007 to 82.9 percent in 2012. The eco Association of the Internet Industry projected European mobile-game revenue to double from €2.4 billion in 2008 by 2012, while comScore data indicated that 11 million German mobile subscribers played games in 2008.
Trade and consumer sections
GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE will divide its program into separate areas for industry professionals and players. The Business Center will contain a trade exhibition, structured matchmaking and an integrated conference. Selected conference forums will be streamed online to registered participants for a fee.
Testing new releases online
The consumer halls will combine exhibitors with events and show matches. Leipziger Messe developed a format that links the physical fair with an online event, allowing remote players to participate live. The organizer expected tens of thousands of visitors in Leipzig and several million online participants worldwide.
The event will remain accessible online throughout its run. Several exhibitors will provide access to games introduced at the fair, with free access while GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE is underway.
Championships and role-playing games
Leipziger Messe will organize player activities with exhibitors. Communities and leagues are invited to meet at the fair, while qualifying championships will select finalists who travel to Leipzig and compete live against online participants. The organizers also planned a role-playing event.
Korea supports GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE
Leipziger Messe was preparing a partnership with South Korea for the event’s first edition, supported by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. KOTRA business development manager In-Sung Park said Korea was pleased to be invited as the first partner country. He described Korea as a leading market for online and mobile games and said the conference could support international cooperation, new business contacts and market development. KOTRA planned to help organize business matchmaking.
Conventional Games Convention suspended for 2009
Marzin emphasized that Leipzig remained open to the wider industry. He described GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE as an independent product for a market using new business models, distribution channels and audiences, comparing the growth of browser, client and mobile games with the early development of the original Games Convention.
