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Leipziger Messe Expecting the “Best GC Ever”

With the German publishers’ association BIU having agreed to a deal with Koelnmesse to host a new games trade show, GAMESCom, in Cologne from 2009, this could be the last year that a Games Convention event takes place in the country. If that is the case, however, owner Leipziger Messe intends to go out with a bang.

“We are in contact with all leading companies from the field of gaming hardware and software,” GC 2008 project director Peggy Schönbeck told Next-Gen.

“Most of them have already registered for Games Convention 2008. The number of registrations at this time of the year is clearly above last year’s level. Therefore, we are expecting the best GC ever.”

Schönbeck, who chose not to comment on whether Leipziger Messe plans to press ahead with a Games Convention event in 2009 regardless of the inaugraul GAMESCom, also said that Nintendo’s recent announcement that it would not be attending GC 2008 would not harm the trade show.

“Certainly, we regret Nintendo’s decision. However its decision was not taken due to the concept of GC, rather the company is pursuing another marketing strategy this year. Therefore, I do not expect any negative influences on GC 2008.”

The 2007 Games Convention attracted 503 exhibitors and 185,000 visitors. This year’s event will take place from 20-24 August 2008 in Leipzig, Germany.