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Games Convention bows out to GamesCom

After a long stalemate, Leipziger Messe has announced a new casual games convention, leaving Germany's BUI to go ahead with its pan-European show in Cologne.

Back in early 2007, Germany's Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware (German Federal Association for Entertainment Software) announced it would break away from Leipziger Messe's annual Games Convention and go it alone with its own Cologne-based games summit, GamesCom, in 2009.

Despite having the unanimous backing from its members (a veritable who's who of the industry, including heavyweights Activision, EA, Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and more), the BUI's move wasn't enough to deter the Leipziger Messe, which declared that Games Convention 2009 would be going ahead as usual.

After a Mexican standoff between the two organisations, both vying for the attention of international publishers, the press, and a trade show audience, Leipziger Messe has confirmed that it has decided to cancel its plans for Games Convention 2009 and instead launch a new show titled Games Convention Online, focusing on casual and mobile games.

According to Leipziger Messe CEO Wolfgang Marzin, "Browser, client, and mobile games are on course to becoming a big success story, and in that way, the Games Convention Online is like the Games Convention when it first began. We are delighted that as trade fair organisers, we can again accompany this development too."

Marzin also said, "In view of the new situation in terms of competition on the German trade fair market, Leipziger Messe would be dropping the Games Convention from the 2009 calendar," which was due to run from August 20 to 23. Despite this, Marzin pointed out that "Leipziger Messe was still open to the entire gaming industry: If the industry is again in search of a platform for console and PC games and hardware with the know-how of the Games Convention, we will immediately be available."

One of the reasons to move the show, according to BUI CEO Olaf Wolters, was that "the hotels in Leipzig and the surrounding areas were completely packed out, and another problem was the lack of international flights to the region." Leipzig is a less accessible area of former East Germany, whereas Cologne is roughly a half hour's train ride north of the former capital of West Germany, Bonn, on the Rhine river.

16 Comments

  • Shtinky

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 3:39 am GMT

    this is a lesson on how not to write a major article; the ambiguous headline and verbose body caught no one's attention; it should of been republished.

  • Kaotik_Gamer

    Posted Jan 30, 2009 3:59 am GMT

    Its a pity it will be in Cologne...an awfully boring city and ugly city. True they got the facilities, but s... thats all. Furthermore "Leipziger" are much more friendly, as well as the girls!

  • msudude211

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 6:25 pm GMT

    We need one of these in Michigan.

  • JackHoleFace00

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 1:11 pm GMT

    calanorn--
    Well regardless of your definition of "hardcore," my point is good games like that with high production values might start to go away if developers notice games like "Ping Pong Fishing" or "Bobbing for Apples 3" continue to see success. And note I did mentioned Fallout (and there are others like Elder Scrolls, etc.)--doesn't often get too much lengthier or deep than that!

  • calanorn

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 12:58 pm GMT

    LOL jackholeface00 - That list of games for me did not include any real hardcore games in it they are good games but for me the hardcore games for me are the old school ones that took ages to finish and had real depth to them not the 5 hour romp like GoW, Halo and FEAR, but F.E.A.R does friggin rock

  • dr_jashugan

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 12:50 pm GMT

    Casual game convention = Wii convention?

  • 5011704dc

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 12:33 pm GMT

    Not a show for hardcore games then

  • JusticeCovert GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 12:33 pm GMT

    I'm gonna miss the show in Leipzig. It's true that the city itself wasn't very well equipped to deal with such a large event, but it was improving every year, and the convention center itself was very impressive.

  • markop2003

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 12:22 pm GMT

    I heard they may be moving it to Munich last year. Not hugely surprised after the outcry from developers of having to travel 45mins to getv to the convention.

  • JackHoleFace00

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 11:53 am GMT

    oh my goodness... this sucks so bad. This is the beginning of the end of hardcore gaming. This could possibly mean say good bye to games like MGS, Halo, GoW, FEAR, StarCraft, Company of Heroes, Crysis, Fallout, Final Fantasy, etc.... and say hello to games like Princess Peach Javelin Toss 2011! ....ugh

  • Unlimitedbigdad

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 11:28 am GMT

    I couldn't go to the show anyway. I'm far away you know.

  • JDWolfie

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 11:17 am GMT

    Well, at least E3 is still going to be around and Tokyo Game Show.

  • EiRoGGe

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 9:42 am GMT

    So sad and disappointing! Commerce and corruption won over innovation und courage.

    "Leipzig is a less accessible area of former East Germany, whereas Cologne is roughly a half hour's train ride north of the ex-capital of West Germany, Bonn, on the Rhine river."

    What an argument... Leipzig is an hour train ride away from the not-ex-capital, Berlin, while Cologe is over 5 hours away.

  • strangestguy

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 9:41 am GMT

    oh god no

  • EddieTheGreat posted Jan 29, 2009 9:20 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    EddieTheGreat

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 9:20 am GMT (hide)

    first response!

  • killzone_gamer posted Jan 29, 2009 9:04 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    killzone_gamer

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 9:04 am GMT (hide)

    First Comment!!

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