D.I.C.E. rolls out speakers

With the crucial holiday sales quarter barely under way, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) is already looking forward to next year's annual D.I.C.E. Summit (Design, Innovate, Communicate and Entertain). The AIAS today announced speakers, sponsors, and a new venue for the event, which will take place February 6-8 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.

The first five speakers for the conference have been revealed, and they represent some of the biggest players in the industry. Recently appointed Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello will deliver a keynote speech on challenges currently facing game creators, while Microsoft Game Studios head Shane Kim will participate in a Q&A session. Other announced speakers include the NPD Group's Anita Frazier, Oddworld Inhabitants' Lorne Lanning, Ubisoft Montreal Studios CEO Yannis Mallat.

Comedian Jay Mohr has also been confirmed to host the 11th annual Interactive Achievement Awards. It will be the star's third straight year helming the show.

Other D.I.C.E. events include poker and golf tournaments, as well as pre- and postawards parties. Sponsors of the event include Bioware/Pandemic, Day One Studios, Insomniac Games, Electronic Arts, Dell Computer, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Computer Entertainment America, and Ubisoft.