Just got back from an enjoyable quick trip to Germany for the Games Convention in Leipzig. The GC is an E3-like game expo catering to the German/Euro market - with the major exception that it is open to the public. The event saw upwards of 100,000 German consumers running like crazed game fans throughout the massive convention center. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with the scope and energy behind GC.

Attached to the GC was a small developers conference that attracted some 300+ (mainly) German developers over two days. I gave one of the keynote speeches, covering the debate over licensed IP and original content. Admittedly, it was tough to deliver the lecture having just arrived at the conference directly off an overnight flight… Thankfully, the event staff were very courteous and made all their speakers feel like true VIPs. Sadly, I did not get the chance to take in much of the conference, but it seemed like a good mix of content/speakers for only their second outing. I expect things will grow/improve dramatically over the next few years…

Much like in China, there was a funky undertone of tension - a feeling of legitimacy of games as an art form and a serious business, versus games as a corruptor of youth and a frivolous waster of time among Germany’s customarily industrious populace. This tension could not have been more evident than during the GC’s opening ceremony: An extremely enjoyable symphony orchestra playing great game compositions mired by official speeches, one of which stressed on game violence and the need to regulate content, etc… Oh well - one step forward, two steps back.

In terms of IGDA business, it was great to build up some developers contacts in Germany, where we only just started our first chapter in Frankfurt am Main. Jochen Hamma did a great job of organizing a special dinner for German developers interested in starting chapters. Even Jeferson Valadares from the Brazil chapter popped in to provide some words of encouragement. It was a great evening!

Overall it was a great trip and gave me new insight into the German game dev scene. As Bob Bates noted several times, he sees a bright future for German developers - Crytek being just one recent example of this sentiment…

While in town a got the chance to snap the following photos (people listed left-to-right):


The small expo section of the developer conference…


A great panel on how to get international PR for your game by Simon Byron (Barrington Harvey) and Erica Kohnke Kain (Kohnke Communications).


Bob Bates, Stefan Blanck (Chromatrix), Jochen Hamma (Fantastic Realms) and I on the way to the Gewandhaus for the opening concert.


The Prague FILMHarmonic Orchestra conducted by Andy Brick.


Several of the games’ music composers were on hand and received a standing ovation.


Sony had a decent sized booth, but nothing compared to its E3 behomoth…


Given the public nature of the expo, several booths had areas that were age-rated/restricted.


GC was truly a “fun fair”, with go karts, ball games and other such fair-like activities.


I couldn’t help but snap this shot of Koch Media’s booth showing off their Miami Vice and Knight Rider licensed games… Perhaps they should have been at by lecture ;)


A totally unexpected find - there was a whole “family” section, a day care, a learning center, etc, etc. Nice.


Gustaf Stechmann and Falko L�ffler chill during the North Stars reception.


Olaf Wolters, head of the North Star org, welcomes developers to his reception with a big smile!


Sony had a huge crowd out to their party/concert. The band was Die Fantastischen Vier (translates to The Fantastic Four), who could be likened to a German Beastie Boys.


Here I am (in blue striped shirt) attempting to share some inspiring words on the value of building local/global developer communities.


Malte Behrmann (G.A.M.E.) and Bernd Diemer (Games Academy) tunnel their way through the maze-like Moritz Bastie during the exhibitors party.

Luckily, I had a bit of free time to wander the small town of Leipzig. It is a nice town, with a rich history but is still struggling to recover from post-war/wall change…


A shot of the Leipzig main promenade and train/tram station in the city center.


A quiet pond in front of the opera house.


Despite some of the nicer buildings, much of Leipzig is still scarred and in disrepair…


Wow, the colossal Monument to the Battle of Nations (one of the largest monuments in Europe) was truly impressive.


A closer shot of the front of the monument.


The city center had a bustling market and busy side streets.


Sony had a mobile game station set up in one of the central parks. The EyeToy and SingStar pods were jammed with teens girls…