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Strong Participation from Nokia

Nokia, the world’s leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile and fixed telecom networks will have a strong presence at the Dubai World Game Expo. Nokia the Platinum Sponsor of the Dubai World Game Summit will showcase its latest innovation in mobile gaming and will present a keynote speech by Kay Gruenwoldt, North American Marketing Manager, Nokia Games Publishing “The Future is Mobile”. On this occasion, Kay Gruenwoldt commented, “We are excited to be providing the keynote at this year’s Dubai World Games Expo, where we will be discussing the rich games experiences developers can create on mobile devices. We will also be providing insights into the types of game innovations we expect to see in the future with the technology that the latest mobile devices can deliver.”

Jay Wilbur, Vice President of Epic Games for the First Time in the Middle East

The Dubai World Game Summit will also host Jay Wilbur. Vice President of Epic Games who will deliver a special presentation on “Mitigating Risks in Game Development Using Middleware,” in tandem with Digital Investments Chief Creative Officer Cyrus Lum.
“Epic will share with Dubai Game World Expo attendees which critical elements must be considered in order to minimize risk and maximize development resources when licensing middleware,” said Jay Wilbur, Vice President of Epic Games. “By collaborating with Cyrus Lum, Chief Creative Officer of Digital Investments, on his personal experiences as an Unreal Engine licensee, we will pull back the curtain on a unique case study that has benefited from streamlining technologies and optimizing specific systems for a range of game genres. This talk will be of value to shops of all sizes.”

Jay Wilbur is the Vice President of Business Development for Epic Games, where he works as part of the Epic Management Team. Previously, Wilbur was the co-owner and business manager of id Software, a highly successful computer game development company. At id, Wilbur managed all of the company’s business activities including developing, implementing and maintaining id’s highly successful direct and retail distribution strategies for such blockbuster titles as Wolfenstein 3D, Spear of Destiny, DOOM, DOOM II, Final DOOM, Quake and all related ancillary software/non-software products.

Cyrus Lum serves as Chief Creative Officer for Digital Investments, a multi-national organization focused on accelerating the growth of developers, publishers, educational institutions and governments in their pursuit of achieving a strong game industry. Cyrus has over 20 years of experience in game production, development and management roles with both publishing and independent development companies, and was most recently Studio Art Director of Midway Studios-Austin, where he helped to grow the company from 50 to over 150 employees.

Top-Class Speakers from the Middle East at Dubai World Game Summit

Middle East’s leading game summit will also host key speakers such as Said Fadi Mujahid, General Manager of Game Power 7, Ahmed Nassef, Group Vice President and General Manager of Maktoob.com, and Nick Bryant, Managing Director of Txt TV FZ LLC – MBC Group.
Game Power 7 announced its active participation in both Dubai World Game Expo and Dubai World Game Summit. Game Power 7 will deliver a special presentation in the Online Game Session (October 28) about its findings and experience in online game publishing, “Challenges of Online Game Publishing in the Middle East”

“Throughout the past year, Game Power 7 has been conducting market research and studies related to online gaming and related publishing business. Game Power 7 will share the knowledge and experience it acquired with the game industry and community”. said Said Fadi Mujahid, General Manager. “The Middle East & North Africa Region is considered an untouched market for online games, and this is due to the absence of local game publishers. Game publishers play two major roles for online gaming: (1) Game localization and culturalization, and (2) online gaming concept promotion and marketing,“ according to Mujahid. The presentation highlights some of the major challenges that the company is dealing with in their new venture.

“Maktoob.com is excited to be participating in the Dubai World Game Summit. Online gaming is poised for huge growth in the Arab world in the coming years, and we’re proud to be leading the way in presenting our audience of over 12 million Arabs from throughout the region with the best in cutting edge world-class gaming.” said Ahmed Nassef, Group VP and GM, Maktoob.com. His unprecedented presentation “Online gaming in the MENA Region” will be in the Media & Game Session on October 29.

“I am delighted to be able to participate in the Media & Game Session during Dubai World Game Summit. As the regions largest media group we have an interest in all media, irrespective of how it is delivered or where it is consumed. We expect to see significant growth in the games market over the coming years as PC and broadband penetration grows and ‘smart phones’ become increasingly popular in our region. The MBC Group will be in the vanguard of this growth.” said Nick Bryant, Managing Director of Txt TV FZ LLC – MBC Group.

Weyak Powered by Etisalat Announced as Platinum Sponsor of Dubai World Game Expo 2008

Weyak powered by Etisalat will showcase its latest online games for Weyak making online game a big part of the Dubai World Game Expo.

“Digital Gaming has become one of the leading sports of the world today, providing a perfect combination of learning and entertainment to the young generation. Etisalat recognizes the significance of this emerging sport and is increasingly looking forward to be associated with gaming and entertainment through innovative Weyak services. The vibrancy and youthfulness of Weyak brand can be well associated with Dubai World Game Expo.” said Mr. Khalifa Al Shamsi, Vice President Marketing, Consumer and SMB, Etisalat.

“We very much regard Dubai World Game Expo as a key event in the industry calendar and we look forward to showcasing our latest innovations at the show.” added Mr. Shamsi.

In addition to being a Platinum Sponsor of the DWGE, Etisalat will be giving presentations by Mario J. Pino - Senior Manager, Platform Strategy and Management, and Maha Muraish - Manager / Content and Services at Online Game Session and Mobile Game Session during the Dubai World Game Summit alongside multiple panels.

More than 20 countries Participating at the Expo.

The Dubai World Game Expo has attracted companies and game developers from more than 20 countries including the Unites States, Japan, Korea, Canada, China, Jordan and Iran which is unveiling its biggest overseas participation ever at the Dubai World Game Expo. Variety of Iranian game companies will be at DWGE and at least 8 companies already confirmed to be at Iranian Game Pavilion. In addition, Behrouz Minaei-Bidgoli, Managing Director of Computer Game National Institute of Tehran, Iran will deliver a speech “Iranian Game Market” at Game Development Session during the Dubai World Game Summit 2008.

On this Occasion, Anas Almadani, Vice President of INDEX Holding commented, “On behalf of the Organizing Committee we would like to convey our greatest appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority for his patronage and continuous support.”

“The Organizing Committee completed all preparations to host this major international event. The significance of the Dubai World Game Expo is realized through the participation of major international players in the industry such as Nokia, the Platinum Sponsor of the Dubai World Game Summit. We are also very grateful for the participation of Weyak at the Dubai World Game Expo. Etisalat Continues to lead the way as a UAE National company in sponsoring new initiatives and emerging industries.” Said Al Madani

“We are confident that the Dubai World Game Expo will play a major role in shaping the gaming industry in the Middle East. This year’s expo will witness a very high level conference with experts from different parts of the world sharing their experience and know-how in the gaming industry. Key speakers will address important topics about the industry such as Development of new games, and the latest innovations in mobile and internet gaming.” Added Al Madani.

This years event will also witness the first Dubai World Game Championship which has already attracted thousands of gamers from across the region, where competition will take place over four games; Counter Strike, Pro Evolution Soccer, Top Spin Tennis, and Need for Speed. “We will also be witnessing the first UAE National Team to participate at the World Cyber Games in Cologne.” said Anas Al Madani, Vice President of INDEX Holding. The exhibition halls will be open for trade visitors from 10:00 to 4:00pm on 28th and 29th October. For public the exhibition halls are open from 29th and 30th October, 2008.

For More information please visit www.gameexpo.ae/

58,500

SEATTLE - September 2, 2008 - “Yeah.”

About Penny Arcade Expo: The Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) gaming festival is a three-day celebration of games and gamer culture. The annual convention includes an exhibition floor filled with playable builds of upcoming tabletop, console, and computer games; a conference program of game industry speakers; music concerts; freeplay areas; industry parties; an independent games showcase; game tournaments and more. Since its inception in 2004 the show has nearly doubled in size year-over-year, growing from 4,500 attendees to 58,500 in 2008, making it the largest gaming festival in North America. For more information visit www.pennyarcadeexpo.com.

About Penny Arcade: Equal parts online comic and commentary, Penny Arcade (www.penny-arcade.com) keeps its finger on the pulse of the gaming industry, prompting conversation and controversy alike from community members and industry experts. What started as a hobby in 1998 for Jerry “Tycho” Holkins and Mike “Gabe” Krahulik has grown into an online phenomenon serving 70 million page views a month to millions of readers worldwide. In addition to the comic strip and PAX gaming festival (www.pennyarcadeexpo.com), Penny Arcade has expanded its reach to include a growing line of merchandise, a video game and management of Child’s Play (www.childsplaycharity.org), a gamer-driven charity for children that spans the globe.

holy….

If you don’t know what 58,500 is and dont’ want to read the “about” section, that’s the attendance figure for this year’s PAX 2008. This little expo has grown from 4000 attendees in 2004 to 58,500 this year, and has become big enough that the gaming companies have now followed the comic geeks to this “alternative” to expos. I would like to attend next year, and if the stars align right, I just may be there.

DOORS OPEN FOR PAX 2008 TOMORROW

On-site Registration Still Available!

SEATTLE - August 28, 2008 - The organizers of the fifth annual Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) today sent a reminder that this year’s gaming festival will begin later this week. PAX 2008, to be held Aug. 29-31, is expected to draw over 45,000 gamers, industry professionals and media to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle for the 3-day gaming festival. Attendee badges may be purchased at the door at $30 for a one-day badge or $60 for all three days of the show.

Highlights of the show include:

FRIDAY
-   PAX 2008 Keynote from Ken Levine                                 4:30-5:30pm
-   Penny Arcade Q&A Panel #1                                          5:30-6:30pm
-   “Video Games and Piracy” Panel                                     7:30-8:30pm
-   Music Concert with The OneUps,
    Freezepop and Jonathan Coulton                                     9:00pm-1:00am

SATURDAY
-   “Game Criticism and Old Game Journalism” Panel            1:30-2:30pm
-   Pitch Your Game Idea                                                     5:30-6:30pm
-   Music Concert with Anamanaguchi,
    The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets,
    MC Frontalot and the Minibosses                                     9:30pm-1:30am

SUNDAY
-   Family Feud: PAX Edition!                                              11:00am-12:30pm
-   The Wil Wheaton Panel                                                  11:30am-12:30pm
-   Penny Arcade Q&A Panel #2                                          12:30-1:30pm
-   Omegathon Final Round                                                  5:00-6:00pm

The complete PAX 2008 schedule can be found at http://www.pennyarcadeexpo.com/PAX_2008_Schedule.pdf.

London (22nd August, 2008) – TAITO Corporation (TAITO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd., today stated unequivocally that the “Invaders!” installation by Douglas Edric Stanley and displayed at the Games Convention held in Leipzig, Germany was produced entirely without TAITO’s knowledge and that the use of the world-famous Space Invaders® content was wholly unauthorized. The “Space Invaders: Die Jubiläumsshow!” (“Space Invaders: the Anniversary Show”) exhibition of the Computer Game Museum Berlin hosting the installation was likewise planned and presented without TAITO’s knowledge and authorization.

TAITO is seriously considering all available options-including legal actions against the infringer and, if necessary, the Games Convention exhibitor involved-in order to end this unauthorized and impermissible misuse of the Space Invaders content and to protect TAITO’s intellectual properties.

For the sixth time, the Leipziger Messe has awarded the title of “Best of GC” to the most innovative new products at the GC - Games Convention. This year’s winners in nine categories were announced yesterday evening. A total of 29 exhibitors at the GC - Games Convention had submitted 122 hardware items and software titles (2006: 85) for the award.

The happy winners were:

In the category Best PC Game:

SPORE - Electronic Arts

In “Spore”, Will Wright lets players create their own species and send them off on a journey through five billion years of evolutionary history. In the process, he succeeds in combining elements from casual, strategy, role-play and action simulations into a single game - and opens the door to a games galaxy in which all living elements are designed by the players themselves. “Spore” is at the same time both complex and comprehensible and will have an inspirational effect on video game development for many years to come.

In the category Best Xbox 360 Game:

MIRROR’S EDGE - Electronic Arts

“Mirror’s Edge” sends its title heroine “Faith” off into a modern police state full of contrasting colours and vertiginous architecture. The special achievement of the action adventure is to cloak the player particularly closely in the skin of his or her avatar. Acrobatic leaps, fierce close combat and the character’s increasing exhaustion are almost physically perceptible.

In the category Best PSP Game:

RESISTANCE: RETRIBUTION -
Sony Computer Entertainment Deutschland

This makes it official at last: shooters for out and about can be fun. With outstanding visuals, in “Resistance: Retribution” neither the small console nor the gamer can take a breather till Europe has been liberated from an extraterrestrial fleet of invaders. It also includes a multiplayer setting for up to eight players.

In the category Best PS3 Game:

LITTLE BIG PLANET -
Sony Computer Entertainment Deutschland

Sony brings new life to an old genre, the laterally scrolling platformer. It also adds both a social and a creative element to the console world: the gamer community becomes the developer community. “Little Big Planet” comes with a convincingly vivid backdrop and almost unlimited possibilities with entertaining level structure.

In the category Best Wii Game:

SKATE IT - Electronic Arts

The Wii Fit Balance Board can do much more than just aerobics and yoga: by shifting weight and skilful use of the Nunchuk, the player carries out the most amazing tricks in (four) virtual roles. A genuine skater feel is created on the run through half-pipes and over ramps. “Skate it” gives an authentic and original recreation of the trend sport and benefits from the special features of the Nintendo console.

In the category Best NDS Game:

SONIC CHRONICLES: Die Dunkle Bruderschaft - SEGA

What looks at first like a colourful jump’n'run, turns out after only a few minutes to be an atmospheric RPG. Thanks to the exciting story, the amusing dialogue and the tactical fight system, older Sonic fans will also find this very entertaining. BioWare has given the DS an epic adventure all about the blue hedgehog.

In the category BEST MOBILE Game:

PES 2009 - Konami

Smoothly animated mini-players, a passing game and runs into the centre - it’s all possible, even on a small mobile phone screen. Depending on the type of phone and with a certain amount of practice, the one-button control makes even complex game moves possible. “PES 2009″ for mobile phones even allows for multiplayer games by Bluetooth and is much more than just a stopgap to pass the time.

In the category Best Online Game:

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning - GOA GOA (developed by Mythic Entertainment)

The creators of the online RPG legend “Dark Age of Camelot”, still so successful today, are back with “Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning”. GOA squares up to the alpha male “World of Warcraft” with spectacular visuals, innovative play modi, neat control and an enormous, appealing fantasy world.

In the category Best Hardware:

PlayTV - Sony Computer Entertainment Deutschland

The PlayTV enables users to record, play back and pause for playback of TV programmes received in DVB-T format. This is the first time that a game console serves as a hard drive recorder. The remote function is particularly impressive, making it possible to watch recorded TV shows or live TV programmes on the Playstation Portable (PSP).

In the category Best PS2 Game:

As there were too few entrants, no award was made in this category.

With the “Best of GC” title, the GC - Games Convention awards the computer and video game industry’s most outstanding product achievements every year. Exhibitors at the GC - Games Convention had until 1 August 2008 to make submissions in the category hardware accessories as well as in the categories Best Game PC, Xbox 360, PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, NDS, mobile and online. All companies exhibiting at the GC were eligible, if their products could be played in the public area and had not been published before the fair.

NEW YORK - August 21, 2008
Paradox Interactive today released a new batch of screenshots and a listing of key features for Dark Horizon, their upcoming space action combat simulator for the PC at Games Convention in Leipzig. Dark Horizon will be released in North America on September 23 and in Europe on September 26, 2008.

The key features confirmed for Dark Horizon include:
Fully customize your spaceship in great detail.

Create the ultimate space vessel by gathering resources and disassembling unused parts of your ship, using them to create weapons and improve your ship.

Fight in teams with other pilots through fierce battles, give orders and use tactics to take out your enemies.

Choose between two different modes that will change your fighter’s performance according to your own demands: “Shadow” mode to stealth through enemy lines and “Corter” mode that will level up the power of your weapons.

Explore 22 missions and extensive customization opportunities.