Gameloft's Michel Guillemot To Keynote GDC Mobile 2008

Michel Guillemot, President and CEO of Gameloft, a leading publisher and developer of games for mobile phones (New York Nights, Beowulf), will present the keynote address at the 2008 Game Developers Conference (GDC) Mobile summit taking place on Feb. 18-19th, 2008 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. Held in conjunction with GDC 2008, GDC Mobile 2008 will offer in-depth technical and business oriented mobile game development sessions supported by research and market analysis for every region in the world. In a snapshot of his keynote address, Guillemot will be focusing on the $3 billion mobile games business. He will examine ways to push the current barriers that the mobile industry faces in technology, distribution and design. Translating his experience from the console realm, Guillemot will address what it takes to shift mobile games into a mass market business using the global landscape as a backdrop. "GDC Mobile has long been the stomping ground for the great minds of mobile and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to keynote this event," said Michel Guillemot, president and CEO, Gameloft. "As an industry we continue to strive in finding new ways to bring entertaining and compelling mobile games to an ever-changing consumer base worldwide. GDC Mobile is the ideal place to continue this dialogue." "Our goal was to select a keynote speaker who encompasses the vision and principles that defines the new era of mobile games and we found the perfect match with Michel Guillemot," said Robert Tereck, chairman, GDC Mobile. "He is a mobile visionary, an innovative thinker and deeply knowledgeable in all things gaming. We look forward to his insight for what lies ahead for mobile." Renowned as a pioneer in the mobile space, Guillemot brings more than 20 years of experience to the gaming industry. With a commanding global presence, he has shaped the mobile terrain by profitably growing Gameloft to become the number one leader in Europe and a solid number two in North America. For the mobile industry, 2008 marks the 10-year anniversary of mobile games and Guillemot represents the highest standard of innovation, entertainment and drive. GDC Mobile 2008 will also host the inaugural Independent Games Festival Mobile (IGF Mobile) Awards, the first official event to recognize and reward innovation and creativity in mobile game development. Award winners will be announced at the IGF Mobile gala ceremony, taking place during the two-day GDC Mobile conference. GDC Mobile 2008 will provide mobile game developers from around the globe the opportunity to debate the future of the medium with executives from leading mobile network operators, advanced technology providers, handset manufacturers, and major console game publishers. The full lineup of speakers and sessions can be found at www.gdcmobile.com.