Games Asia to bridge developers, publishers

Organizers of the Games Convention Asia have announced the first speakers of this year’s conference, which will take place in Singapore from September 6 to 7.

For the first time, international game industry visionaries from Asia, Europe and North America will meet in Singapore to share ideas and network, and build new business relations. GCAC will take place alongside GC Asia, and focus on the Asian development and games market.

The GCAC is positioned as the leading forum for the entire Asia-Pacific region in the area of packaged goods, online and mobile digital entertainment, where attendees will gain valuable new perspectives into future technical and economic standards pertaining to the video game industry.

Fulfilling its promise of, “For developers by developers,�? the GCAC will present international industry experts from across Asia, Europe, and North America. This year’s conference program focuses on development and business topics, stressing the issues of financing and venture capital.

The conference is being coordinated by local representatives of the games industry and the GC Developers Conference (GCDC), Europe’s leading platform for the game development community, producing a unique environment for creating business relationships and gaining significant knowledge of the industry.

“We are confident that the GC Asia Conference will establish itself as the leading platform for the game development community in Asia,�? said Frank Sliwka, project director of GCDC. “The program we put forward will provide attendees with the kind of practical knowledge and numerous networking opportunities for which GC development conferences are well known.�?

“The GC Asia Conference adds a strong business and development element to GC Asia,�? said Jorg Zeissig, general manager Leipziger Messe International (LMI), the organizer of GCAC and GC Asia. “We will be able to offer a focal point for the entire interactive digital entertainment industry in the Asia-Pacific region.�?

Confirmed Speakers
Bob Bates (USA) and Alexander Fernández (Netherlands) are two acclaimed developers within the gaming industry. Bates is one of the directors of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and author of “Unreal Tournament II�? and “Eric the Unready.�? He will speak on game design ideas and creativity issues. Alexander Fernández, CEO of Streamline Studios, is scheduled to speak on outsourcing for the Xbox and PCs.

The worldwide Executive of Music and Audio for Electronic Arts, Steve Schnur, will discuss issues related to sound design and licensing. Peter Paul Gadi (Philippines), CTO at Anino Mobile and one of its founding partners, will talk about establishing a mobile game development process.

Also speaking at GCAC is Chris Natsuume (Singapore), lead producer of “Far Cry,�? and founder of Boomzap Entertainment. Additional representatives from the Asia Pacific region, Charles Speyer (Vietnam) and Brett Bibby (Malaysia), will host lectures as well.