Leipzig's Games Convention Online Cancels 2011 Show

Organizers for the Leipzig, Germany-based Games Convention Online announced on Thursday the cancellation of the July 7-8 event, due to a lack of funding. The event would have hosted online-centric game companies, but organizers said in a press statement it couldn't attract enough game industry exhibitors for the convention's business segment. Without financial support from mobile and online game companies in the form of booth fees, event organizers said the convention is not economically viable this year. Games Convention Online took place in Leipzig in 2009 and 2010, and had a schedule targeted towards both game consumers and those within the industry. It was previously known simply as Games Convention. Organizers said that although the event is cancelled for this year, its staff is still available to organize market-driven events. "If the industry is looking for new formats or new locations for effective game industry events, we can quickly respond and activate our proven staff," said event rep Heike Fischer in a statement. While Games Convention Online won't be taking place in 2011, Cologne, Germany-based trade fair Gamescom is still on schedule for August 18-21. Taking place alongside Gamescom is GDC Europe, which is owned by Gamasutra parent UBM TechWeb Game Network and scheduled for August 15-17 this year.