Nokia on Board as Additional Main Sponsor of GCDC 2007

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on June 14, 2007

GC Developers Conference (GCDC)

(August 20-22, 2007)

Leipzig, Germany - June 14, 2007

The GC Developers Conference (GCDC) today announced that Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, has pledged its support for the conference and, along with Intel, now holds a main sponsor spot. Presenting its new N-Gage platform, Nokia will contribute to this year's exciting GCDC programme, Europe's most important platform for developers, from August 20-22, 2007.

As a platinum sponsor of GCDC, Nokia will be giving a keynote speech at the mobile conference alongside several sponsored speaker sessions. Nokia is also sponsoring the GCDC Night where they will be showcasing their new line-up of N-Gage games, and running competitions where lucky winners will receive Nokia N95s.

"With the arrival of our new N-Gage platform later this year, GCDC 2007 is at an important time for us," says Diarmuid Feeny, Games Business Manager, Nokia. "We are proud to be a platinum sponsor for the third year running as well as the exclusive sponsor of GCDC Night. We look forward to working with - and having fun with - developers and publishers, both old friends and new."

"Nokia is a key partner for GCDC and their support consistently enables us to put forward the best and most relevant programme for our attendees," said Frank Sliwka, project director of GCDC. "The cooperation with Nokia has been exceptional over the last several years and their ongoing participation clearly emphasizes the ever-growing significance of the conference for developers and the industry," Frank continues.

GCDC 2006 retrospective

Last August 21-23, 650 conference participants from 20 countries attended GCDC. Speakers included Bob Bates (USA), Don L. Daglow (USA, President/CEO, Stormfront Studios), Graham Hopper (USA, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Buena Vista Games Inc.), Peter Molyneux (UK, President, Lionhead Studios) and Bill Roper (USA, CEO, Flagship Studios), among others.

About Nokia

Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks. www.nokia.com

Interview with Diarmuid Feeny, Games Business Manager, Nokia

1. What position does the GC Developers Conference (GCDC) hold in the event calendar for Nokia?

Diarmuid Feeny: "The GCDC is an absolute key event in the Nokia gaming industry calendar. We are looking forward to sharing our thoughts on the future of mobile gaming."

2. How would you describe the development of the GCDC over the past five years?

"Over the last five years, GC Developers Conference (GCDC) has become the leading conference for game developers in Europe and is now one of the key global industry events."

3. Can you give a preview of what you are going to present at the conference? Which topics are you going to address?

"We have been speaking about how mobile phones have become multimedia computers for some time now - and the keynote this year will have a look at the impact this will have on the gaming industry and on the way people will use, experience and buy mobile content in the future. The mobile gaming industry is already a multi-billion Euro business. However, in order for the industry to reach the growth potential that analysts have been predicting, we firmly believe that consumers must be offered a much richer experience than today. We are looking forward to sharing our ideas on how to meet these consumer needs."

4. What do you think of the location? Have you been to Leipzig before?

"I have been to Leipzig on numerous occasions and have enjoyed it immensely every time. The Leipzig Fair is one of the oldest in the world - but at the same time it is one of the youngest and most modern - and offers a very unique experience. It is always a very special treat to wander through the "Barfussgaesschen" after a long day at the Fair and meet up with partners, colleagues and friends."

5. What are you most looking forward to at GCDC?

"It will be interesting to see if the fact that there was no general E3 this year will impact GCDC. I am, of course, looking forward to getting new ideas and industry insights through the many great presentations and keynotes."

Media Contacts:

Europe

Stephan Reiss, Press Officer, GCDC

+49 (0) 341 - 678 8186

s.reiss@leipziger-messe.de

North America

Sean Kauppinen, Kohnke Communications

+1 415-777-4000

sean@kohnkecomm.com

Contact for sponsors, speakers and participants:

Frank Sliwka, Project Director, GCDC

+49 (0) 341 - 678 8288