Games Convention 2008 preparation is starting to churn out steam. What we hear from official press waves is that the event organizers, Leipziger Messe, is ironing out the kinks to GC 2007's little mishaps with transportation and access. It looks like they're pressing for another good time in Leipzig this August, and if all pulls through, we may not be seeing GC - Games Convention departing Germany's trade show city anytime soon. More details at the full article.

Now that the Leipzig Games Convention has ended, organizers Leipziger Messe GmbH had a chance to look back on this year's standings for the Games Convention (GC) and Game Convention Developers Conference (GCDC). And in quick summary, the Leipzig trade show has made large strides forward in both number and event achievements.

Back in 2006, the Games Convention reeled in 183,000 exhibition attendees. This year, they've listed 185,000 visitors. Although less than the targeted 200,000 visitor count, more visitors were satisfied with this year's turnout than last year - that's 85% against 75%. In addition, that count included 12,300 trade visitors, a huge jump from 8,700 from a year ago.

The Leipzig convention also brought in more media attention after a recorded 3,300 press personnel from 46 countries attended, compared to 2006's 2,610 from 38 countries. About 20% of those visitors were female, while 52% of visitors were over 20 years old. It was reported a few days ago that the exhibitor list rose to 410 entities. The actual recorded count of exhibitors was very much higher: 509 exhibitors were found.

The recently concluded trade show also marked a first for GC Freestyle, a festival of interactive entertainment sorts, which included concerts, summer activities, and sports. A 3,000 count for overnight stays was noted, while surveys claimed that the event itself was well-received. GC family also grabbed a special place in the visitors' hearts, as 75% of those who did attend GC 2007 took a keen interest in A Hall of Its Own (Hall 5).

Too Human was originally developed for Sony's PlayStation back in 1999 as an action game that spans five discs, before a partnership with Nintendo made Silicon Knights work on it for the GameCube instead. 

After a few more years of disappearance, a series of events led SK to the hands of Microsoft to make the game on Xbox 360. Not until recently did the game resurface - the release date still an uncertainty - but we can be sure of one thing: head honcho Denis Dyack knows his console history.

Dyack talked about "one console future" during GCDC 2007 in Leipzig, saying consoles are heading towards commoditization and differences between these gaming machines will become less important. In an interview with GameSpy, he went deeper on his thoughts about improving technology and how the next generation can actually be void of console wars.

"I think that as technologies continue to advance, the advances are becoming so strong that they diminish the differences between each console with each generation," Dyack said. He compared the PlayStation to Nintendo 64, both introducing 3D graphics to households. For him, the difference is getting so small that we will come to a point where there won't be discrimination of any platforms.

Like we play DVDs on any DVD player, he sees the possibility of every game being playable on any platform. No exclusives. "Everyone's been saying for the longest time that 'it's all about the games.' If it's really all about the games, then the games will start to dominate, and the value of the hardware will become less and less important," he said.

All these may sound convenient, but he found a lot of bad from "commoditizing" in the gaming industry. "Commoditization is a very bad thing, because the ultimate result of it is slavery," he said.

It won't be surprising if many find his speculations farfetched, but Dyack is quite confident with his words. He was able to say, with confidence, that "predicting the future is hard." He continued, "But one of the things about technology and commoditization is that it's guaranteed to happen one hundred percent."

 

In today's videogame industry, the word "next-gen" is often tossed around, to the point that we sometimes forget just what it actually stands for, besides being a catch-all term  for a game having much better production values than another. Or maybe, to refer to a specific console being able to beat another console any day of the week. It's such that we actually see advertisements claiming this game or that game to be "next-gen", with "next-gen" visuals and "next-gen" gameplay. What next? "Next-gen" packaging?

Thankfully, there are some individuals that have not yet lost sight of what next-gen really means, to both a gamer AND a game developer. Stormfront Studios' own Don Daglow is one such individual, defending the Wii's right to be called a next-generation console during his GCDC speech in front of a room full of budding game developers.

So what is Don's definition of "next-gen"? Simple - he believes that for something to be "next-gen", it should be able to change the player's perception of what gaming really is - and what it isn't. His exact statement, verbatim:

Next-gen hardware is any platform that, upon its introduction, dramatically changes players' view of the potential for interactive entertainment. If it changes the player's view of what interactive entertainment is; if you think differently about it; if you have a new perspective after playing the game that you didn't have before, to me that's next-gen.

Certainly a sobering piece of mind from one of today's game developers, right? And with the examples Don Daglow put forward - specifically Sim City, Guitar Hero, Geometry Wars and World of Warcraft - it's certainly not hard to see his point, console wars put aside. It's about creating a new game experience for the player, not simply improving graphics or visuals or controls. 

Updates as we get them.

While major companies are making their presence felt at the upcoming Games Convention in Leipzig, another GCDC highlight is the influx of promising young studios. With that in mind, we're announcing that SouthPeak has released info on its expected product line up for the upcoming event.

Highlights in the list include a new Wii game, titled Brave, and Monster Madness Ex, the Ps3 port of the Xbox 360 and PC's Monster Madness game. Here's a plot summary for each of SouthPeak's to-be-disclosed titles:

Brave (Wii, DS, PSP)

• An action adventure based on the culture, history and mythology of Native America. Brave will have players take control of a young boy on a mission save his tribe from impending disasters. SouthPeak's very first game for the Wii is scheduled for a Q2 2008 release.
  

Monster Madness Ex (PlayStation 3)

• The PlayStation 3's take on this title is expected to carry over several improvement and gameplay tweaks, including new downloadable content. Currently scheduled for a Q1 2008 release.
  

Ninjatown (DS)

• A quirky strategy title using ninja characters licensed from Shawnimals, Ninjatown will bring an entire family of cute ninjas to Nintendo’s handheld system. Scheduled for a Q1 2008 release.
  

Iridium Runners (PlayStation 2)

• A racing game set in the year 2050, Iridium Runners will have players competing against each other for Special powers and weapons to survive as the next Iridium Champion. Scheduled for a Q4 2007 release.
  

SouthPeak Games is expected to be located at stand J50 of the event grounds, which can be found in Hall 1 of the business centre.

The industry-focused leg of the Games Convention at GCDC 2007 will take place">Leipzig is expected to break its previous record of 650 attendees, after Leipziger Messe GmbH announced through press wire that the registered attendee tally for the 2007 event has hit 850 attendees. The Games Convention Developers Conference (GCDC) will take place on August 20-22, just before the consumer and retailer exhibition.

 

Hailing from 35 countries all over the globe - 60 percent from the North American and UK regions - participants have the opportunity to witness the delivery of more than 80 event keynotes from over 120 speakers. And representatives from their respective industry segments - namely handheld, mobile, console, PC, Mac, and online markets - will expound on visions, themes and issues relevant to the industry's times.

Although much of the planned discussions will be focused on the industry side, there will also be discussions on how society and political bodies can properly recognize the gaming industry, and the significance of associations representing the game industry to the outside world.

And in another note, Leipziger Messe has particularly named Tim Schafer of Double Fine Production (Grim Fandango, Psychonauts) to deliver his keynote speech entitled "Games and Creativity," adapted for the new age of game development. If memory serves us right, Schafer and his studio has been secretly at work on a game project under Vivendi's revived Sierra Entertainment label.

It was claimed to be titled "Brutal Legend", but that has been under question for some time since it was retracted. But if former Leipzig revelations are were groundbreaking, then you may count that fellow blogger Schafer will spill more details on his ambitious "labor of love."

The 2007 Games Convention Developers Conference opening remarks will be delivered by none other than the Chairman of the European Games Development Forum (EGDF), Fred Hasson. More GC and GCDC news coming your way, before the Leipzig-filled week begins next Monday.

While all eyes are currently on the upcoming Leipzig Games Convention (GCDC 2007), its far Eastern counterpart is garnering strong support as well. A press wire in circulation is announcing that this year's Games Convention Asia event will be witness to the region's very first signing of the Memorandum of Intent (MOI) between the national game associations of 12 countries and regions in the Asia Pacific rim:

• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Vietnam
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Japan
• China
• Korea
• Taiwan
• Indonesia
  

This MOI is hoped to improve ties between the gaming associations and industries existing among the signers. Aside from Singapore, Australia, Germany, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Thailand are further confirmed to be participating in this year's GCA. Each country is expected to set up their own pavilions at the said event, with 8 to 10 homegrown game companies from each country expected to be present. Currently finalizing their participation plans for GCA are Malaysia, Korea and China.

A total of 200 participating companies are expected to arrive at this year's event, with strong financial support coming in from Singapore's Venture Capitalists & Private Equity Associations, and Southeast Asia's Business Angels Network. The event proper is expected to take place this September 6 to 9, at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Third-party manufacturer Nyko Technologies has just announced their new distribution deals with Inellec Multimedia in France and Gem Distribution in the UK.

This new partnerships will enable Nyko to circulate its products within the corresponding distributor's countries. This includes more commonly known console peripherals like Nyko's Intercooler for the Xbox 360 and PS3, and the Wii Charge Station. Scott Berlin, Nyko's International Sales VP, had this to say regarding the new deal:

Nyko has always been committed to providing gamers not only in the US, but also the world, with access to the most innovative peripherals for video gaming and digital lifestyles. Our new agreements with Inellec Multimedia and Gem Distribution demonstrate this vision and we look forward to forging ahead and establishing the Nyko brand in even more countries and territories around the globe.

In relation to this news, Nyko is also announcing its presence at the upcoming Leipzig Games Convention (a.k.a. GCDC 2007), where it will be presenting its current and upcoming wares. This year's Games Convention will be taking place from August 23 to 26, at the Leipziger Messe Fairgrounds in Leipzig City, Germany.

And the Games Convention Developers Conference (GCDC) for 2007 is rolling to a good start as another company has officially announced, via press wire, games that will be offered for gamers, media and retailers at the Leipzig Business Center come late August. Deep Silver (X3: Reunion Game of the Year Edition, Warhammer: Mark of Chaos) and its partners have listed ANNO 1701, Ferrari Challenge, Final Fantasy Tactics, Secret Files 2, Flatout Ultimate Carnage, Heroes of Mana, Perry Rhodan, and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria as featured games for gamers.

 

ANNO 1701 is Deep Silver's upcoming add-on to the ANNO (PC) real-time strategy series, published by Ubisoft. Ferrari Challenge (PlayStation 3, DS, Wii), published by System 3, will be there to tout realistic modeling and racing simulations of the Italian sports car and the motor sports series of the same name.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War (PSP) under Square Enix' supervision will also be at the Leipzig Convention, enticing fans of the Square Enix Final Fantasy and tactical action persuasion to give the game a try over handheld. Mystery fans might want to to stop by to take a gander at the sequel to the classic German adventure Secret Files: Tunguska, Secret Files 2 (PC) - the predecessor being a winner of several local and regional game of the year awards.

And if you're a fan of Mana, you could check out Heroes of Mana (DS), a real-time strategy title published by Square Enix and based on the Mana series. Empire Interactive's Flatout Ultimate Carnage (Xbox 360) will be smashing its way to Leipzig, too, after a well-anticipated, timely launch for the destructive driving title.

Perry Rhodan (PC) will feature the famous astronaut of the same name in a fictional adventure game published by Brain Game. And if Heavenly Sword coming out for the PlayStation 3 just shattered your day, worry not, because Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2) by Square Enix will be brandished at the event to satisfy the Sony current generation console gamers.

But wait, Deep Silver isn't done yet, because more games will be announced when the second part of the European-centric trade fair highlights by the developer is polished before the curtains rise by August 23. Catch them, and their games, at stand A12 of Hall 3 of the Leipzig Business Center.

The European division of D3Publisher has polished up its titles for maximum exposure at the vast Leipzig Business and Convention Center, Germany. And in the Games Convention Developers Conference (GCDC) fast approaching in less than a month, gamers are assured that the presence of Dark Sector, Ben 10: Protector of Earth, Ed, Edd and Eddy: Scam of the Century, and Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire will be felt throughout the four-day European-centric event.

 

The Leipzig Convention will be the first event to feature playable, early versions of Dark Sector (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC), a third-person horror, action adventure combining bio-weapons and morphing to truly recreate a plague-ravaged Eastern Europe.

And right off from the Cartoon Network, Ben 10: Protector of Earth (Wii, DS, PSP, PS2) will have players wielding the Omnitrix as Ben Tennyson, fending off the evil Kevin 11 and arch-enemy Vilgax. The game is planned to extend the cartoon adventures straight to accessible consoles, including popular handhelds.

Ed, Edd and Eddy: Scam of the Century (DS) will pit the triple misbehaving E's against their own neighborhood, after Captain Melonhead gains possession of their book of schemes and distributes it to everyone. The adventure game will have gamers scouring for the book through puzzles and the trio's collection of skills, before each of their schemes can be used against them.

Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire (Wii) will also be featured at Leipzig. This "massive" RPG was designed especially for the Nintendo Wii and its pair of trusty controllers, allowing players to control movement and attacks through the Wiimote and Nunchuk. The plot and storyline was penned by none other than "DragonLance" creator Richard A. Knack himself, and the game will be available for hands-on demonstration at the event.

Check out the D3Publisher Europe stand, labeled K37, at the first Hall of the Business Center starting August 22-28, 2007.