Austin Game Conference 2005 Registration Now Open; MMOG And Mobile Game Leaders To Gather October 27-28, 2005

Austin, Texas - July 22, 2005 - The Game Initiative, a leading producer of conferences and events for professionals in the computer and video game industry, today announced details of the third annual Austin Game Conference (AGC), to be held October 27-28, 2005, at the Austin Convention Center. AGC is dedicated to meeting the needs of professionals focused on massively multiplayer online (MMO), mobile and networked game development. Earlybird registration - only $145 for professionals - is now open. Conference details and registration information are available at http://www.gameconference.com

The AGC program has been expanded to deliver even more critical information on creating and developing mobile, multiplayer and massively multiplayer games with a special emphasis on emerging products and platforms. The expanded program consists of panel sessions and workshops plus a TechPavilion showcasing the latest tools, technologies, products and services for developers, technologists and business professionals.

"The Austin Game Conference has become the venue leading game developers to discuss the issues, challenges and opportunities they face in the online and mobile game arena," said Christopher V. Sherman, executive director of the The Game Initiative. "We appreciate the game industry's overwhelming support and expect some of the most innovative and creative companies in the world to participate in the 2005 Austin Game Conference."

Registration Information

Early Registration for the event is now open and can be accessed by logging on to http://www.gameconference.com . Early registration for professionals prior to August 12th is $145. After August 12th the price for professionals is $165 and onsite registration is $195. Early registration for students prior to August 12th is $95. After August 12th the price for students is $115 and onsite registration is $145. Conference Registration grants access to the Khronos Developer University (Oct. 26), the Austin Game Conference (Oct 27-28), the TechPavilion (Oct 27-28), the Women's Game Conference (Oct. 26-27), and the Game Writers Conference (Oct. 26-27).

Austin Game Conference Highlights:

- Khronos Developer University - This one day hands-on work shop provides up-to-the-minute training on industry standard APIs for embedded graphics and video processing. These APIs, including OpenGL ES and OpenVG, are vital for state-of-the-art game development on emerging handheld platforms including cell phones.

- Multiplayer Online Games Tracks - This is the definitive conference on multiplayer online games. Visionaries and veterans provide detailed insight with 4 tracks: Tech, Design, Service and Production.

- Future of the Development Pipeline - This special sponsored track focuses on streamlining the design process - includes networked games, console games and PC games. With the length of today?s development cycle don?t be left behind.

- LivePitch - This well respected industry matchmaking event puts development projects in front of the world's leading game publishers.

- TechPavilion and Attendee Lounge - The TechPavilion showcases the latest tools, technologies, products and services. Booths and/or private meeting rooms are available. The Attendee Lounge includes comfortable couches and chairs where attendees can relax and network in a casual environment.

- Machinima and Game Tech Showcase Theater - Cinimatics and Gameplay are leaping forward. Witness the best of game animation, gameplay and film-making from 3D game engines.

- Mobile Market Design and Profits - Expanded to 2 full tracks for 2005. Understand this market and the opportunities. Learn how to get product out the door and make a profit.

- Women's Game Conference - The second annual Women's Game Conference (WGC) focuses on women in the computer and video game industry. The conference program will cover women as an essential market for game growth and diversity as a necessary tool for game development.

- Game Writers Conference - The first annual Game Writers Conference (GWC) is dedicated to the art and craft of game writing. GWC is guided by a group of leading game industry professionals: Susan O'Connor, Writer & Game Writers Conference Chair; Hal Barwood, Designer/Writer, Finite Arts; Dana Fos, User Experience Manager, Microsoft; Clint Hocking, Creative Director, Ubisoft; Patricia Pizer, Lead Designer, 4orty 2wo Entertainment

Major Austin Game Conference sponsors include: Microsoft Casual Games, Mythic Entertainment, Alias, Activision, Guildhall at SMU, NCSoft, GoPets, Online Game Services, Academy of Art University, SonicFusion, Dolby, GameDev.net, Mary-Margaret.com, Develop Magazine, MobyGames.com, GamesIndustry.biz, IBM Texas Credit Union, Autodesk, ATI Technologies, Association of Shareware Professionals, Khronos Group and others.

About The Game Initiative

The Game Initiative is a leading producer of conferences and events for professionals in the computer and video game industry. The Initiative is chartered with the growth of the industry through events, public awareness, information and supporting programs and serves the needs of companies and people involved in producing interactive entertainment software and hardware for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the Internet. Game Initiative events include the Austin Game Conference, the Mobile Game Conference, the Women's Game Conference, the Game Writers Conference, the Advertising In Games Forum, the Casual Games Conference, Game Technology Association Meetings and the How to Break into the Game Industry national conference series. More information about The Game Initiative can be found at http://www.GameConferences.com

Tim Williams

Austin Game Conference

512.289.8687

tw@gameconference.com