Record Number Of Developers Register For Third Annual Livepitch At The Austin Game Conference

Austin, Texas - September 28, 2005 - The Game Initiative today announced that a record number of game developers from around the world have registered for the third annual LivePitch at the Austin Game Conference, to be held October 27-28, 2005. LivePitch is a highly valuable tool for developers to present their original content to publishers looking for mobile, MMOG, PC or console games to bring to market. It also enables publishers to discover studio talent to develop content based on intellectual property rights or licenses they own. Game Developers can apply to participate in LivePitch at no cost, by visiting the LivePitch Web site at http://www.LivePitch.com . Registration closes on September 30, 2005.

LivePitch at AGC affords publishers the opportunity to maximize the number of studios and projects they can see in one location and at one time. Developers receive 30 minutes to demo their game one on one with each interested publisher. All meeting are conveniently scheduled by the Austin Game Conference and take place in private meeting rooms. Developers should complete the application, providing information about their demo, game developing experience and past publishers that have been pitched the idea. Publishers interested in participating in LivePitch can also apply via the LivePitch web site or by contacting publishers@livepitch.com.

"The response to LivePitch from developers around the world has been tremendous," said Christopher V. Sherman, executive director of The Game Initiative. "AGC is recognized as the leading conference for MMOG, online, console and mobile game development. And leading publishers know they can come here to find top studio talent and projects to fill their product pipeline."

Registration Information

Earlybird registration - only $145 for game industry professionals - ends on September 30th. After September 30th the price for professionals is $165 and onsite registration is $195. 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). Conference details and registration information are available at http://www.gameconference.com

Austin Game Conference Highlights Include:

- 8 tracks, 130 speakers, 2000+ developers, 10+ companies recruiting

- Microsoft / Xbox 360 will hold in-depth presentations covering Xbox 360Live/Marketplace, XNA studio and Next-Gen Graphics on Vista

- Conference Keynotes

Day 1 - John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment

Day 2 - Dr. Richard Bartle, Visiting Professor in Computer Game Design, University of Essex and creator of the MUD.

- IBM to Discuss Details of the Cell Processor

George Dolbier, IBM Senior Executive Architect for Games, will discuss details of the Cell Processor powering the next generation game platforms at the Game Technology Association meeting at AGC.

- Career Pavilion - By popular demand a career area has been added to the TechPavilion. For everyone at the show looking for a career change this is the place to go.

- 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.

- Official Conference Party sponsored by K2 Networks Inc. - a not to be missed event.

- Sponsors and Exhibitors include:

3Dconnexion, Inc., Academy of Art University, Activision, Alias, Anark Corporation, Animation Farm , Association of shareware professionals, ATI Technologies, Austin Community College, Autodesk, Avid Computer Graphics, Bigworld Pty Ltd., BioWare Corp., BuildForge, Inc., Business Wire, Develop Magazine, Dolby, Emergent Game Technologies, Ensemble Studios, Enzyme Testing Labs, Game instinct , Game Trust, GameDev.net, GamesIndustry.biz, GC Networks/Game Creation Magazine, Ginny's Printing, GoPets, Guildhall at SMU, Havok, Hybrid Graphics Ltd., iBeta, IBM Texas Credit Union, janimation Inc , K2 Networks Inc., Khronos Group, Mary-Margaret.com, Microsoft, Microsoft Casual Games Group, Microsoft Research, Midway, MobyGames.com, Mythic Entertainment, NCSoft, NVIDIA, Omni Interactive Media, Online Game Services, Inc., Power VR (PowerVR), Real Networks/Lifetime, Scaleform Corporation , St. Edwards University, TechExcel, THQ, The OGaming Network, UAT, and Versant Corporation

- 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.

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

Contact:

Tim Williams

Austin Game Conference

512.289.8687

tw@gameconference.com