GC Asia 2009

Another resounding success, reckon the organizers.

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on Sept. 20, 2009

GCA Games Convention Asia

GC Asia Conference (GCAC)

Suntec Singapore International Convention

& Exhibition Centre

(September 17-20, 2009)

LEIPZIG, Germany and SINGAPORE - September 20, 2009 - The third GC Asia Conference and GCA closed yesterday with resounding success. The first ever D.I.C.E. ® Summit Asia, and the traditional GC Asia Conference brought together industry experts from Asia-Pacific, USA and Europe. The best minds of the global interactive entertainment community shared their ideas and experiences with an interested audience. In the Business Centre trade visitors came to Singapore to explore business opportunities, laying the ground for future strategic alliances. Over the duration of four days, 102,500 visitors came to see the latest in video and computer games. GCA and GC Asia Conference took place from September 17-20 in Singapore.

"Four days of expert insights, lively exchanges of ideas, business collaborations and exciting premieres of new games and activities have come to an end. We are very satisfied with how the convention has evolved into a must-attend event for everyone involved in the games industry," said Wolfgang Marzin, CEO of the Leipzig Trade Fair.

At the inaugural D.I.C.E.® Summit Asia, the importance of creativity in gaming was discussed in five keynote sessions by leaders of the interactive entertainment industry. More than 200 attendees of the forum listened to Masaya Matsuura (NanaOn-Sha), Eundo Chae (Wizet Studio, Nexon Korea), Yasuhide Kobayashi (Japan Studio, Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios), Takahiro Murakami (Electronic Arts) and Chris Taylor (Gas Powered Games) on the first day.

The various aspects of developing a video game from creating IP through to financing, pitching and global outsourcing were covered on the second day at GC Asia Conference. More than 450 delegates attended keynote sessions and panel discussions offered by 50 international speakers. Keynotes from Tetsuhiko Yasuda (Sony Computer Entertainment Asia), Scott Foe and Ian Livingstone (Eidos) as well as panel discussions examined the trends, opportunities and challenges driving this business in the Asia Pacific region.

"The combination of the two conferences was well received by the attendees and the speakers. By bringing creative minds together with regional and international veteran game makers onto one platform, new impulses can be generated to unite the regional games industry in Asia Pacific," said Jorg Zeissig, Managing Director of LMI Asia.

Quotes

Takahiro Murakami, Executive Producer, Electronic Arts Japan:

"It has been an interesting journey for me at GCA 2009, being a speaker at D.I.C.E.® Summit Asia and Students' Day. It has given me an opportunity to not only meet and share experiences with other luminaries in the global gaming industry but also interact with students eagerly seeking a career in gaming."

Chris Taylor, Creative Director & Founder, Gas Powered Games:

"It was a real honor to be invited to speak at D.I.C.E Summit Asia and it is exciting to witness the growth of the gaming industry in Singapore as well as Asia. For the business of gaming, Games Convention Asia is the perfect platform for the exchange of ideas and inspiration to keep it going."

Ian Livingstone, Life President, Eidos:

"I was very pleased to attend the conference, meet local developers, visit studios and find out what the latest gaming and technology trends are in Asia. It was also great to meet officials to find out more about how the government is supporting its growing games industry in Singapore."

Ariella Lehrer, Founder, CEO & President, Legacy Interactive:

"This is my first time in Asia and being at GCA helped me tremendously - I learnt a lot and made some very important business contacts which will now enable me to do business in Asia. The content, information and networking opportunities I've gotten at GCA are excellent. I will definitely return next year!"

Jason Manley, President, Massive Black:

"GCA is the gateway to global entertainment through the Asian and international markets. If your company has aspirations in that direction, it is a must-do event."

Public Exhibition

At the exhibition hall, 80 local and international exhibitors, including major industry players like Microsoft, Electronic Arts, IAHGames, Cherry Credits, Replay Interactive showcased their latest games. Microsoft premiered the full version of Forza Motorsport 3, the upcoming triple-A Xbox 360 title developed by Turn 10, and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Singapore-based Matchmove Games launched its new online game distribution platform ( www.matchmovegames.com) at GCA. Home-grown Magma Studios announced its new virtual world project World of Temasek, a role-playing experience of distant 14th century Singapore. Other key highlights at GCA included the One Asia Cup, Southeast Asia's largest e-gaming tournament played on the EA SPORTS ™ FIFA Online 2 platform, and the Singapore finals of the Asia Pacific Cosplay Championship 2009 where the overall winner got to fly to Australia for free to represent Singapore in the grand finals on October 4. The first ever Asia-Paci fic Games Directory (APGD) was successfully launched by the Games Exchange Alliance (GXA) at GCA.

Quotes

Rivai Adidharma, Assistant Vice President, MOL AccessPortal Pte Ltd:

"We are happy with this year's business centre. We have gathered quite a number of leads, and it was a valuable time of networking. ROI-wise, there was an improvement from last year. It's good that we've received a mix of local and international leads. GCA has the potential to be an international platform and we'd like to see more game publishers from the US or Europe next year."

W.G.T. Fernando, Managing Director, Gamos Technology Solutions (GTS):

"This is our first year participating at CGA. During the convention thus far, we've met a wide variety of companies from countries like Indonesia, India, Korea and Thailand who have shown interest in our offerings. As a regional platform, it's a good starting point and a great opportunity for companies to gain exposure."

Yeo Yeok Chuan , Vice President - Marketing and Strategy, IAH Game:

"It has been a great opportunity for us at IAH Games to meet our online community face to face and form bonds with them and industry partners from across Asia at GCA 2009 and to launch the first ever One Asia Cup, which we want to continually develop year on year for the regional games industry."

Yi Fen Chua, Marketing Manager, Replay Interactive:

"Opening its doors in Singapore for the third year, the recognition that GCA has garnered in the region is definitely growing year on year.

Hampus Soderstrom, CEO, Nabi Studios:

"I am really happy with the great turnout at the exhibition. Last year's GCA was good but, this year, it's even better."

About Games Convention Asia/GC Asia Conference

Founded in 2007, the GCA Games Convention Asia is the only business platform for developers, publishers, distributors, manufacturers and service providers of the games industry, focusing on interactive entertainment, infotainment, edutainment, hardware and the latest server technologies for the entire Asia-Pacific region. The event takes place over four days in Singapore and is organized by Leipziger Messe International Asia Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of Leipziger Messe. The innovative concept, consisting of the four pillars of exhibition, a business center, matchmaking area, and GC Asia Conference, attracted more than 92,000 visitors to the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre in 2008. The GC Asia Conference, the only game developer conference in the Asia-Pacific region, allows developers and industry experts to exchange knowledge and know-how in panels and lectures and grow their international networks of business connections. For more informat ion, please visit: http://www.gc-asia.sg

Media Contacts:

Europe

Leipziger Messe

Nancy Pfaff, Press Officer

49 (0) 341 678 8186

n.pfaff@leipziger-messe.de

North America

International Digital Entertainment Agency

Sean Kauppinen

Phone; +1-415-299-2156

gca@ide-agency.com

Asia-Pacific