Leipzig 2009 'still going ahead'
Despite the relocation of the official German Federal Association for Entertainment Software games convention to Cologne, Leipziger Messe boss vows its event will continue.
Earlier this year, the head of the Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware (German Federal Association for Entertainment Software) announced that it would be moving its official annual games convention away from Leipzig, and would be renaming it GamesCon. Given that the Leipzig fair owns the rights to the name Games Convention, the event had to choose a new moniker.
The Games Convention was previously held at Leipziger Messe, but the head of the BIU, Olaf Wolters, stated that the venue would be changing due to a lack of infrastructure--including hotel rooms and international flights--in the area. Cologne was picked as the new destination, and Wolters hopes that the event will now grow again in attendance figures.
It was presumed that the Games Convention would not return in 2009, but today the Leipzig organisers announced that it will be staying put, and that there will be a Leipzig next year.
Leipziger Messe boss Wolfgang Marzin released a statement today saying, "The GC Games Convention is not moving." Marzin said that the event would "continue to pursue its international strategy."
The first Leipzig Games Convention took place in 2002, and is usually held in the last week of August. In 2007, around 185,000 visitors attended, and there were talks by industry luminaries including Denis Dyack, Peter Molyneux, and Jeff Strain.
This year's Leipzig Convention, which is the last to be run with the full support of the BIU, is taking place from August 21 to August 24, and will be "even more international." The business area will also expand by 25 percent.
13 Comments
Subscribe to GameSpot's YouTube Channel
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Mortal Kombat developer to diversify in 2012
NetherRealm creative director Ed Boon says there's an "assumption" another Mortal Kombat game to come, but wants to work on new IPs on multiple formats, genres. Full Story
- Posted Jan 30, 2012 8:17 am PT
- 59 Comments
Featured Stories
-
Star Wars: The Old Republic denounced for gay relationships
Family Research Council says BioWare has "gone to the dark side" with promise to include same-gender romance in MMO game. Full Story
- Posted Jan 30, 2012 10:46 am PT
- 505 Comments
-
No new Xbox in 2012 - Microsoft
Company's French marketing manager says Microsoft not ready to roll out new console this year, won't compete with Nintendo and the Wii U. Full Story
- Posted Jan 30, 2012 9:51 am PT
- 358 Comments
-
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning online pass unlocks seven quests
New copies of 38 Studios' fantasy RPG come bundled with code to download House of Valor faction questline; studio says it was "always intended" to be DLC. Full Story
- Posted Jan 27, 2012 2:53 pm PT
- 345 Comments
-
Sony sweetens PS Vita 3G deal
$300 version of new handheld will now include free 8GB memory stick, PSN game, AT&T 3G data plan access; $350 First Edition preorders to receive just the PSN game and data plan. Full Story
- Posted Jan 27, 2012 2:24 pm PT
- 243 Comments
-
Nintendo considering new name for Wii U - Report
Underwhelming reaction and concerns of customer confusion supposedly have the Mario maker weighing its options for a rebranding before this year's E3. Full Story
- Posted Jan 27, 2012 11:12 am PT
- 509 Comments
Submit News
Recent News
-
Steam transaction history compromised
Valve confirms 2004-2008 purchase data copied by intruders; no evidence encrypted credit cards, billing info cracked.
DRXgamer93 posted Jun 26, 2008 4:09 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)