HIROMICHI TANAKA, FINAL FANTASY XI PRODUCER, RENOWNED GAME DEVELOPER AND DESIGNER, TO KEYNOTE THE AUSTIN GAME DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE 2007

SAN FRANCISCO - July 19, 2007 - Hiromichi Tanaka, one of the world's most influential game developers, designers and producers, announced today his planned participation as International Keynote for this year's Austin Game Developers Conference (Austin GDC). Tanaka, Executive Officer at Square Enix, is best known as the lead developer on Final Fantasy XI, one of the world's most artistically creative and successful massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. As Final Fantasy XI was the first in the series to invite both console and PC gamers to play together across hardware platforms, Tanaka's keynote will address the challenges and triumphs of designing an MMO for a multiplatform experience.

"We are honored to have Hiromichi Tanaka, a leading figure in the online game developer community deliver the International Keynote at this year's event," said Jane Pinckard, Content Manager for Austin GDC. "Tanaka's presence at our conference is indicative of the event's global appeal. The Austin GDC attracts both national and international attendees due to its historically laid back and intimate environment, and specialized industry topics covered via the show program."

Taking place September 5-7, 2007 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, the Austin GDC provides an intimate, community focused forum for game developers and industry professionals to exchange ideas and advance the art of online game creation.

Presented by the CMP Game Group, host of the industry-leading Game Developers Conference (GDC), the Austin GDC will feature more than 90 lectures, panels and round-table discussions on game development across three tracks: online games (focusing on online programming, business strategies, and creating MMOs), audio for games, and writing for games. The Austin GDC is also introducing a forth track, the People's Choice track, where community members can directly impact the selection of topics, sessions and speakers by voting online at www.austingdc.net/vote/. The conference will also feature a Game Career Seminar for students and job-changes researching entry into the game industry.

For more information about the event, please visit www.austingdc.net.

About the CMP Game Group ( www.cmpgame.com)

The CMP Game Group delivers essential information and enables community within the game industry through events, services, and media. The group's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference and the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com. For more information, please visit www.cmpgame.com.

About CMP Technology ( www.cmp.com)

CMP Technology is a marketing solutions company serving the technology industry. Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands, CMP has earned the confidence of more technology professionals than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP Technology is a subsidiary of United Business Media ( www.unitedbusinessmedia.com), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion.

Contact: Craig Sinel / Sibel Sunar

fortyseven communications

craig@fortyseven.com / sibel@fortyseven.com

323.658.1200

Ben Veechai

CMP Game Group

bveechai@cmp.coim

415-947-6280