Smedley ION-izing ex-OGDC

With game developers running to and fro waxing technical about the game-making process at industry conventions and conferences, it's a wonder that any games ever actually make it to market. Be that as it may, the conference circuit rumbles on this week, with ION Game Conference organizers announcing Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley will deliver the keynote address at this year's event.

Smedley's keynote will address past and present accomplishments for SOE and the massively multiplayer online game genre as a whole, as well as what the future may hold for the growing space. His talk will also address The Agency, an espionage-themed MMOG in development at SOE's Seattle studio and due on the PC and PlayStation 3 later this year.

Formerly known as the Online Game Developers Conference (OGDC), the ION Game Conference will occur May 13-15 in Seattle, Washington. Event organizers have stated the theme for this year's conference is "redefining online," with an emphasis placed on "console, wireless, virtual worlds, mash-ups, mobile, and casual games" that deal in more than just the fantasy MMOG genre. Registration and other information can be found on the conference's Web site.