GDC China Announces Govt Support, IGF China Competition

Author: by Staff

Game Developers Conference organizer Think Services (also parent of Gamasutra) announced that GDC China 2009, to be held at the Shanghai International Convention Center October 11-13, has the official support of the Chinese government. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by several notable government representatives including: Liu Qiang, director of the division of cyber-culture affairs of the Ministry of Culture of the P.R.C (MOC); Li Jinxin, director of the marketing division of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV; Liu Jinhua, chairman of the game software division of the China e-Game Industry Association belonging to the Ministry of Industry and Information of the P.R.C (MII); and Ma Haiyong, secretary general of the Shanghai Information Services Association (SISA). "GDC China should serve as a platform not only for teams and individuals to learn more, but also game development software and tools suppliers to cooperate," said director Qiang. "The return of GDC China will play a significant role in enhancing the technology of the China game industry and in initiating new, brilliant ideas." GDC China 2009 will gather nearly one thousand industry personnel to discuss such topics as online game development and business, internationalization and cooperation, mobile games, audio technology, visual arts, and independent games. In addition, the event will feature a technical expo attended by thousands. GDC China will also feature the first China Independent Games Festival, aimed at promoting the growing segment of Chinese independent game developers. 11th Annual IGF president and Game Developer magazine publisher Simon Carless has been appointed as IGF China's general advisor. "We are excited to return to Shanghai in October to repeat the success of the 2007 event and to bring the high quality content the GDC is known for," says event director Meggan Scavio. "The GDC has always been a conference presented by game developers, for game developers. In that very spirit, GDC China will present attendees with the knowledge, skills and networking opportunities to help them get a head start in the burgeoning Chinese games industry." GDC China will serve as the last global event in 2009 for the GDC’s global event calendar which includes the main GDC in San Francisco in March, GDC Canada in Vancouver in May, GDC Europe in Cologne, Germany in August, and GDC Austin in Austin, Texas in September.