London Games Conference

Sixteen of the brightest minds in video games will convene at the second London Games Conference in two weeks time.

The 16 industry all-stars will discuss ‘Survival and Profit in a Changing Industry’, as the event focuses on new revenue models and routes to market for both new and established companies in the interactive entertainment industry.

Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens and Playfire chief Kieran O’Neill are the latest to join a speaker line-up of heavyweights including keynote speaker Bigpoint CEO?Heiko Hubertz and Gaikai’s David Perry, plus Q Entertainment CEO Shuji Utsumi, Capcom’s David Reeves, and key execs from GameStop, IGN and Screen Digest. Ed Vaizey, the Secretary of State for Culture, Communications and Creative industries, will also be on hand to close the event with a 10-minute address.

“LGC 2010 promises to be a hotbed of discussion and debate,” commented Stuart Dinsey, managing director Intent Media. “Bigpoint and Dave Perry are two of the most successful online stories with valuable lessons to share with those who have a foot still teetering in the old camp and are tempted to embrace a direct to market model.”

The full line up is as follows:

5:00: Welcome; Stuart Dinsey, Managing Director, Intent Media

5:05: The Keys to International Success with Online Games

Heiko Hubertz, Founder & CEO, Bigpoint

Half of all the internet traffic is already generated by online game sites. Revenues are soaring and companies in the sector are growing exponentially. Being successful with online games means developing a widespread portfolio of Browser Games, Casual Games, Mobile Games and more – as well as offering new possibilities like real-time cross platform multiplayer gaming. Heiko Hubertz will point out the key differences and key similarities between Europe and North America and the keys to global success. The future of online games depends not only on creativity and technology but very much on an excellent business model.

5:25: The Shape of Clouds to Come

A panel of industry leaders and innovators discusses the impact of social networks, online play, advanced mobile devices and cloud technology on the future of the games industry.

Chairman: Phil Harrison, Co-Founder & General Partner, London Venture Partners

Shuji Utsumi, CEO, Q Entertainment

Ben Cousins, General Manager, Easy (EA)

Floris Jans Cuypers, Business Development Director, Spil Games

6:05: The Evolution of Retail alongside Digital Distribution and Online Gaming

Ben Keen, Chief Analyst, Screen Digest

New data from specialist research firm Screen Digest will reveal the impact of digital distribution on boxed product sales and look ahead to predicted trends over the next few years

6:20: Coffee break

6:35 Different Ways to Play, Different Ways to Pay

How traditional bricks and mortar retailers, digital distributors, developers and publishers are all exploring new ways to find, sell to and retain consumers.

Chairman: Michael French, Editor in Chief, MCV

Chris Petrovic, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Gamestop

Rod Cousens, CEO, Codemasters

Ian Chambers, International Vice President, IGN

Simon Osgood, European Product Development Director, InComm

7:10: Sharpen your Skills

Ian Livingstone, Livingstone-Hope Skills Review

The government has asked Eidos life president Ian Livingstone to head a review into the skills and training models needed to establish the UK as the destination choice for games production

7:20: The New Power Base

Choosing a platform for content used to be relatively straightforward, now there are myriad options, and a host of major new players offering audiences measured in millions or more. An in-depth look at some of the most interesting and potentially profitable ways to think outside the box(es).

Chairman: Johnny Minkley, Eurogamer TV

David Reeves, Chief Operating Officer, Capcom Europe

Dave Perry, Co-founder & CEO, Gaikai

Jasper Smith, Founder & CEO, PlayJam

Kieran O’Neill, Co-founder & CEO, Playfire

8:00:  The Government and the Games Industry

Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries

The secretary of state for culture, communications and creative industries brings the London Games Conference – and the London Games Festival – to a close.

8:15: Closing Remarks

Stuart Dinsey, Managing Director, Intent Media

The London Games Conference takes place on November 4th at BAFTA, Piccadilly and is the closing event for the London Games Festival. Over 200 games industry professionals are expected to attend the event’s mix of focused conference and following evening networking and dinner.

To book your place, contact Jodie.Holdway@ intentmedia.co.uk.

For media information, please contact Charlotte Le Rougetel at Bastion; 020 7421 7600; charlotte@bastion.co.uk