The organizers of the Games Convention Asia (GCA) and Games Convention Asia Conference (GCAC) must be very happy about the success of last year's events. This year's show has already been dated so  those who plan on attending might want to start clearing their schedules. For the venue and dates, head on over to the full article.

The cluster of developers, publishers, and industry giants already parted ways last Friday, but the Games Convention Asia ran for another two days until September 9 for the four-day exhibition. Participants from over 20 countries were greatly uplifted by the Games Convention Asia Conference - enough to convince the organizers to schedule another one in 2008.

"I am honored to be a part of GCAC, which provides a unique opportunity to connect with the ever-growing local developer community," said James Miller, Director of Game Developer Relations at Microsoft. GC Asia Conference became a discussion of casual gaming, game development outsourcing, and a meeting point for local game developers to talk with developers from Europe and North America.

Moreover, the conference heralded a rally for game developers to develop the game industry in the region, already tapped by a slew of MMO, mobile, and PC games. "GCAC taking place in Singapore is another strong signal of the renewed game market potential waiting to be tapped in the region," added Gilles Langourieux, CEO of Virtuos Ltd.

So perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that the organizers Leipziger Messe GmbH are encouraged to try again next year. GC Asia Conference 2008 should start a little later on September 9 to 10, 2008. More details to follow as soon as we get them.

The Games Convention Asia Conference is currently underway and has attracted respected delegates from over 20 countries. Industry bigwigs from North America, Asia and Europe were all at hand to share their thoughts on the state of the business.

 

The inaugural GCAC started on September 6 and wraps up on Sunday with an opener courtesy of  Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Second Minister for Information, Communication, and the Arts.

Managing Director for the Conference & Exhibition Management Services  Edward Liu and Leipzig Trade Fair President Wolfgang Marzin were also in attendance to welcome everyone. The two are the main organizers of the Games Convention events.

Marzin commended the host nation at the opening ceremonies and said, "Singapore is the gateway to the booming Asian-Pacific market, and opens up exciting new opportunities for the global games industry." Bob Wallace of Strategic Alternatives agrees:

The games business is a fast-growing entertainment market with participants from all nations. Asia, however, is the fastest growing part of this market, and many new world-class games companies are expected to emerge from Asia. GCA promises to be the first truly pan-Asian games conference showcasing game products and companies, and it is not to be missed by those who look toward the future.

The GCAC is happening alongside the GC Asia exhibit, which shows off the latest in the gaming industry, encompassing all platforms from consoles, PCs, handhelds and mobile phones.

The GCAC is expected to go off with a bang when Electronic Arts Worldwide executive of Music and Marketing Steve Schnur takes on the podium and offers his thoughts. Schnur says he is proud to be a part of GCAC and is excited about his turn to speak.

During the first ever Games Convention Asia Conference (GC Asia Conference) held in Singapore, many countries proved how the industry is also strong in Asia outside Japan. Singapore, known as a big market for MMORPGs, even took a step forward to announce that they're ready to become a games industry center of excellence.

Minister for community development, Vivian Balakrishnan, revealed that around US$ 330 million (SG$ 500 million) of government funds went to research and development in the digital interactive sector.

A student exchange program called "GAMBIT" is also under way for Singapore and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to share their expertise.

Other parts of South East Asia expressed interest in the industry. A memorandum that "signifies the recognition of each other as ideal counterparts for future collaboration and co-operation in this region for the benefit of the games industry" was signed by ten Asian game developers associations from various countries like Japan, Korea, Australia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Asia-Pacific is expected to contribute 40% of gaming industry's US$ 39.8 billion annual revenue by the end of 2008, and Singapore wants a piece of the cake. "Singapore intends to be part of the action," said Balakrishnan.

Opening prime horizons in the Eastern hemisphere, the first Games Convention Asia is good to be in Singapore next week. And we've just heard that Electronic Arts, Nintendo Company Ltd., and Sony will be a few of several big name publishers to attend the Asian contingent of Leipzig's trade show.

Given that all three companies have Asian satellites in Southeast Asian nations, it's likely that this news comes with little surprise. Readers from the region might want to check out the conference, because Sony has claimed that it will feature several games for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable for the duration of the event's exhibition leg.

Nintendo will also be using the event to launch the Wii console within the territory. The nations this "territory" includes has yet to be clarified. EA on the other hand will be showing off Crytek's Crysis, EA Sports' FIFA 08, and Harmonix' Rock Band at the four-day exhibition affair.

Other big names to show up at GC Asia are well known in the region, such as Blizzard Entertainment, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Nokia, 10tacle, and Asiasoft. Need to know more? Keep your eyes glued to this space for more developments as they come in.

Two new games are lined up from the Singapore-based dev team who worked on the Phoenix Wright ports to the mobile platform. Mikoishi will be showing off their new titles at the Games Convention Asia on September 6 to 8 of this year. Sorry. No. Not Phoenix Wright games. But they definitely look promising enough to hold their own ground despite the courtroom big shot eating up the market.

SteamIron. This title will be spanning across various platforms; its epic journey will start on 3G mobile phones later this year, with other installments on the Nintendo DS and PC platforms to follow. It's a sci-fi fantasy game that is set far into the future in an alternate timeline where electronic revolution never happened. Think futuristic technology (space ships and satellite radars included), but all of which are designed in a retro fashion. The game isn't called SteamIron for nothing. It probably hints on something very much like a steampunk world.

DropCast. Mikoishi's DropCast will follow the life of Ingrid and her living, breathing plush dolls. While a series of casual games are planned across different platforms, the first installment will drop in as an action-puzzler on the Nintendo DS early next year.

Specific details about gameplay for both titles are close to none, however, if there's one thing to keep an eye on, it's that upcoming game convention in Singapore where Mikoishi will finally reveal their games. And with that, watch this space!