08:01 (BST), 03/10/2008

Lunar Tide Communications, Inc., co-producers of America's Video Game Expo (VGXPO), one of the largest consumer gaming events in the America's, is expanding the scope of VGXPO to include a new game industry conference – the 'East Coast Games Summit'. Designed to serve the professional colleagues in the game industry, as well as those interested in starting a career in games, the Summit offers programming for all VGXPO attendees.

Co-sponsored by GameJobs.com and GameRecruiter, the East Coast Games Summit is an industry conference that supports a range of programming and networking opportunities. Summit tracks include: "Scrum Deconstructed," a hands-on workshop for game industry management and technologists; 'Breaking In' a single-track mini-conference for students and others interested in making a career out of games; 'Pitch You Game Idea' , a session for would-be game entrepreneurs to present their game concepts to game industry leaders; and a number of additional keynotes and panel sessions on hot topics in the game industry.

"The East Coast Games Summit helps the videogame industry grow not only on a management-process level, but on an education-outreach level as well," stated Fiona Cherbak, Vice President of Marketing at GameRecruiter. "For people not already in the games industry, there is an opportunity to gain a lot of knowledge about the the games making process and also get your foot in the door for a possible career in videogames."

The East Coast Games Summit will include speakers representing a number of leading companies, organizations and educational institutions from within the game industry, including: Acclaim Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Bioware, Nexon, Red Storm Entertainment, Viximo, Zeitgeist Games, Obsidian Entertainment, International Game Developers Association (IGDA), Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Entertainment Consumer Association (ECA), Full Sail, ITT Tech, The Art Institutes, SMU Guild Hall, Devry University, Savannah College of Art and Design and the Vancouver Film School.

"The East Coast Games Summit provides hands-on experience on important topics in the games industry," said David Perry, CCO of Acclaim Entertainment. "Whether you are managing developers, designing video games or looking for career opportunities, this summit provides something for everyone."

To kick off the inaugural year of the East Coast Games Summit, all conference tracks are offered at no expense to registered VGXPO attendees. In addition, all game industry trade members whom wish to participate in VGXPO and the East Coast Games Summit are encouraged to submit their credentials prior to Oct .10 for a free Industry Insider pass to VGXPO.

"We are thrilled to host the East Coast Games Summit," said Jennifer Johnson-Halpin, VGXPO Show Director. "The summit is going to be a great experience for VGXPO attendees and our colleagues in the industry. We look forward to providing east coast videogame insiders with a new venue to exchange ideas and network with peers."

The organizers of the East Coast Games Summit are committed to building the summit into a premiere industry event for game developers, management and others involved in the games industry. For more information, or to participate as a presenter or sponsor at the event, please contact Jennifer Johnson-Halpin at jennifer.halpin@nbcuni.com or visit the VGXPO website at www.videogame.net.

America's Video Game Expo (VGXPO) and the East Coast Games Summit will be held November 21 – 23, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia, PA. For more information about the events, or to register, please visit www.videogame.net

America's VideoGame Expo, the East Coast Games Summit and VideoGame.Net are part of Lunar Tide Communications, Inc. a company that develops videogame related events and educational services. For press inquiries regarding America's Video Game Expo, visit us on the web at www.videogame.net.

Jenna Balestriere

VGXPO Publicist

(610) 668-5634

jenna@vgxpo.com

Jennifer Johnson-Halpin

Director of VGXPO

(203) 345-6512

jennifer.halpin@nbcuni.com