CCP have announced their newest project at GDC Europe in Cologne, known as Dust 514.

It’s a hybrid of an FPS and MMO with RTS elements coming to the consoles, although no platforms were announced. The developer also confirmed it will tie into the EVE Online universe.

“Our success with EVE Online has afforded us the highest caliber global design and production talent in gaming. With a team of the best minds in the industry, we conceived an ambitious new take on virtual world development with DUST 514,” said CEO of CCP, Hilmar Petursson.

Their Shanghai studio will be developing it.

No date yet. More details will be announced at it’s fan event in Iceland in October.

Get the PR, after the jump. First screens are over at Eurogamer.

CCP Unveils DUST 514

Award-Winning EVE Online Developer Taking Console Gaming to New Heights

Cologne, GERMANY, Game Developers Conference Europe – August 18, 2009 – CCP today revealed DUST 514™, a console-based hybrid MMO/FPS set within the EVE universe. The announcement, which included a video featuring gameplay footage, was made during a keynote address by CCP CEO Hilmar Veigar Petursson at the Game Developers Conference in Cologne, Germany.

DUST 514, featuring first-person shooter and RTS-style gameplay, will interact directly with EVE Online, CCP’s critically acclaimed flagship MMO. This interplay between the two games opens the EVE universe to console gamers and gives them a chance to become part of one of the most massive cooperative play and social experiences ever.

“We launched EVE Online in 2003 and have experienced steady annual growth– a fact we appreciate as a rarity in the world of MMOs, especially given the global economy of the past year,” said Petursson. “Our success with EVE Online has afforded us the highest caliber global design and production talent in gaming. With a team of the best minds in the industry, we conceived an ambitious new take on virtual world development with DUST 514.”

The primary gameplay of DUST 514 features brutal ground combat that takes place on the surface of planets from EVE, delivering the visceral, adrenaline-fueled experience of futuristic firefights. Developed for the current generation of consoles, DUST 514 combines equal parts battlefield reflexes and strategic planning, giving commanders and ground infantry real-time configurable weapons and modular vehicles to manage dynamic battlefield conditions.

Now entering its third year of production, DUST 514 is the primary development focus of CCP’s Shanghai studio. The team includes veteran designers of EVE Online and experienced talent from various sectors of the video game industry.

“Since opening our Shanghai studio, we have invested in building a team that wants to push the envelope in gaming and be pioneers in the industry,” said Kjartan Pierre Emilsson, Managing Director of CCP Shanghai. “Having led the design and development efforts of the project from start to finish, our studio is honored to call DUST 514 our first title release.”

Further details will be revealed at CCP’s annual Fanfest event October 1-3, 2009 in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Crytek president Cevat Yerli has said, speaking during a keynote at GDC Europe, that he doesn’t expect the next generation of consoles until 2012 at the very latest, although he and the studio has doubts to if there will be a next-gen.

“…there’s a big debate about whether there will be a next generation at all”, said Yerli.

During the speech, he also mentioned the criticism the studio got for Crysis when it was released in 2007 for making the game high spec, meaning most computers wouldn’t have had a chance of running it.

“We are very often criticized for this but it’s the company’s intent to make things highly scalable. Therefore, users can play the game now, and then, “when you buy a PC in two years time, the game will look better.”

Find out more on Yerli’s keynote at Gamasutra. The studio currently have Crysis 2 in development for PS3, PC and 360.

More than 420 exhibitors from 30 countries are expected to descend upon Cologne for GamesCom.

Loads of premieres, events and entertainment are expected along with seminars on Youth Protection.

According to the press release issued by organizers, stands are already being set-up at the over 120K square meters or exhibition space.

It’s gonna be huge, and we will be there for the entire thing August 19-23.

Full thing through the break.

*Gamescom is under starter’s orders and the stands are already being set up in Cologne. Organiser Koelnmesse and its ideal partner the German Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware – BIU) are eagerly waiting to greet more than 420 exhibitors from 30 countries from 19-23 August. With foreign participation at 45 per cent, gamescom has become the industry’s international meeting point at a stroke. Over a total of 120,000 square metres of exhibition space, the industry community, from developers to publishers and trading partners all the way to the large group of gamers, will meet in halls 4 to 9 of Koelnmesse.

Fans and friends of interactive entertainment can look forward to a grand show of game premieres, a spectacular event and entertainment programme on the entire trade show grounds – indoors and outdoors – and in the city itself at the gamescom Festival. Already well over 100 world, European and German premieres of games in all genres are on the bill. With more than 30 exhibitors from the areas of media learning and expertise, and the gamescom congress organised by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Europe’s largest event for interactive entertainment and games is also giving a huge boost to child welfare. Koelnmesse, the German Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU), the City of Cologne and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are ready to launch the premiere of gamescom. “The games can begin,” say Oliver P. Kuhrt, Managing Director of Koelnmesse, and Olaf Wolters, head of the BIU, in unison *

*Industry meeting place*
With foreign companies making up 45 per cent of exhibitors – including firms from the UK, France, the US and Canada – gamescom is already the new international industry meeting place right from the start. Games producers from France, Italy, the UK, Scandinavia, Taiwan and Thailand will present their products on six shared stands. The business area (halls 4 and 5) will see the European games industry do business with their trading partners, while the entertainment area (halls 6 to 9) is devoted to companies presenting their new products to private visitors. For example in hall 6 of gamescom, companies including Activision Blizzard, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Square Enix and Take Two will showcase their latest titles. In hall 7, Konami, Sony and Ubisoft, Bigben Interactive, Hama, Koch Media and others will cater to fans of interactive entertainment. In hall 8, next to the north entrance, firms including Nintendo, Namco Bandai, Sega, Warner Brothers, dtp and Tivola will present their innovations. Hall 9 puts e-sports, core gaming and the dynamic online gaming segment centre stage. Here, Turtle Entertainment, GOA, NcSoft, Funcom and others will show their products in the best light. To ensure that visitors to gamescom have as much active gaming time as possible, themed game zones (lifestyle, sport, action & adventure, e-sports) will complement the exhibitor stands. This is where the virtual world of games meets its real-world counterpart.

*World premieres and interactive supporting programme *
In the entertainment area, visitors to gamescom will experience a festival of new computer and video games. It will feature new products in just about every genre, from infotainment and edutainment games, to casual, sports and music games, all the way to action and adventure. In short, video and PC, online and browser games producers and hardware providers, too, will be presenting their latest developments, with exhibitors presenting more than one hundred world, European and German premieres. Sports fans, for example, can look forward to the premieres of Pro Evolution Soccer 10, FIFA 10, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and Tony Hawk Ride, while racing aficionados will be treated to Need for Speed Nitro and Forza Motorsport 3. The pulses of music-lovers will also be quickened by titles such as Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero 5, The Beatles Rock Band, Band Hero, LIPS – No. 1 Hits and Just sing.
The line-up of global players from around the world is already being hotly awaited by the European gaming community in the focus area of online, browser and mobile games. Besides browser game market leaders gameforge and Bigpoint, more than 20 companies from Germany, Europe and South Korea will present the entire gamut of games and latest blockbusters, among them World of Warcraft and “Celebrities”.

Away from the screens and monitors, the interactive supporting programme at gamescom will provide the best in entertainment. Creative costumed action fans and friends of relaxing entertainment at gamescom will certainly get their money’s worth in the real world too. For example, from Thursday the best case modders will battle it out in the German case-modding championships, which will award prizes to the most inventive homemade PC housings. People looking to enter the games industry or move within it will want to head straight to the job and career centre in hall 8. There visitors will also find the “Retro Gaming 1972-2009” exhibition, showcasing almost four decades of gaming history. Outside, cosplayers – costumed players – will be awaiting their turn. On Saturday, the south entrance will be the setting for a cosplay world record attempt, which has been officially registered with Guinness World of Records. Another outdoor event will see the most daring motorcyclists take their racers through the freestyle course. In hall 8, the German Motorcycle Trade Association (Industrie-Verband Motorrad Deutschland – IVM) will showcase the fascinating world of motorbikes and scooters. Participation is the order of the day in other supporting events too. The outdoor course will test entrants’ mettle in overcoming obstacles and becoming the fastest and most effective in getting from A to B, a skill that comes first and foremost in many games, after all. Trade show visitors can also attend small workshops to learn the basics of this trend discipline straight from the pros. From Thursday to Sunday, the other outdoor exhibitor events will provide perfect entertainment for fans and families alike. Those in need of a break from the hubbub in the halls and the grounds can escape to the gamescom beach, where they can relax and recharge before the next round of show highlights.

*“gamesCompetence” unites teaching content and expertise*
Youth protection, media learning and instruction in media skills come under the “gamesCompetence” heading at gamescom. This event throws the spotlight on offers from young people for their age group, associations, clubs and institutions, as well as the gamescom congress organised by the state government. Almost 40 exhibitors, among them associations, clubs, and educational facilities, will actively participate in the “gamesCompetence” event highlight. The NRW 2009 Youth Forum in hall 8 hosted in collaboration with Cologne Youth Welfare Office will centre on offers from young people for young people. Also taking part in the “gamesCompetence” programme: the Federal Centre for Political Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung – BpB), the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz – KJM), the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien – BPjM) and educational facilities including the University of Cologne. The main highlight of the gamescom days under the sign of youth protection, media learning and expertise is the gamescom congress to be staged under the state government’s auspices on 20 August in the Congress Centre North. The congress, which is free to all, is devoted to the latest debates revolving around the world of computer gaming. The topic of age-appropriate use of interactive media does not only play a role in the specialist part of gamescom – the right way to deal with games will also be demonstrated live in the trade show grounds. To ensure young people are protected at gamescom itself, visitors will be given coloured armbands according to their age. This follows the guidelines of self-regulating software body the USK and enables exhibitors to ensure that games are only played by the age groups they are intended for. Games for players aged 16 and over will be demonstrated in a closed-off area of exhibitor stands. All in all, the offers for parents and teachers, educators, politicians, media and other interested parties at “gamescompetence” range from practical applications and tools all the way to top political discussions.

*The gamescom Festival takes the games into the city*
The supporting gamescom Festival takes the games into the city where it will address the target group of casual gamers, leisure and occasional players after the trade show closes with lots of fun. The city centre around Rudolfplatz, Friesenplatz and Neumarkt will feature two stages with an entertaining line-up of live acts, while the area between Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz will be given over to interactive gaming with show trucks and game modules. The festival will open its doors on 19 August with top European music act Die Toten Hosen who will appear with Gentlemen and other top names to rock the audience in the dancing zone adjoining the trade show grounds. Following the opening ceremony on Wednesday, the city festival in downtown Cologne will provide spectacular entertainment from Friday to Sunday. National and international music acts, interactive gaming and the BÄM Awards will showcase fun from its best angle over three days true to the gamescom motto, “Celebrate the games”.

GamesCom’s just around the corner and Activision, Electronic Arts, and Square Enix have all revealed a list of games that will be present for the event.

• Activision: Bakugan, Band Hero, Blur, DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5, Modern Warfare 2, and Tony Hawk RIDE.

• EA: APB, Army of Two: The 40th Day, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Brutal Legend, Command & Conquer 4, Dante’s Inferno, Dead Space Extraction, Dragon Age: Origins, FIFA 10, Mass Effect 2, MySims Agents, Need for Speed SHIFT, Need for Speed NITRO, NHL, RAGE, The Beatles: Rock Band, The Saboteur, and Tiger Woods Online.

• Square Enix: Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dissidia Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIV, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Mini Ninjas, Order of War and Supreme Commander 2.

Huge bunch of games, there. Be on the look out for Sony’s list soon.

We will be there through the whole shebang with interviews, live-blogging, the works – so stick with us during the event.

EVE developer and publisher CCP’s trademarked Dust 514, as reported by MMOsite.

What is it? Probably the first-person game company boss Hilmar Petursson’s heavily tipped to announce at GDCE the week after next in Cologne.

Hit the link for more. We’ll know soon enough. Thanks, Jim.

Square Enix has announced the games it will have on had at GamesCom next month.

Looks like attendees can look forward to seeing Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts 385/2, Nier, and Supreme Commander 2, among others.

Here’s the full list:

• Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP)
• Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Final Fantasy XIV (PS3, PC)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers (Wii)
• Front Mission Evolved (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (DS)
• Mini Ninjas (Wii, DS, PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Nier (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Order of War (PC)
• Pony Friends 2 (Wii, DS, PC)
• Supreme Commander 2 (Xbox 360, PC)

We will be on hand during the event, so hopefully we will have some decent stuff to tell you about.

Full press release through the link.

London (28th July 2009) – Square Enix Europe, the business unit integrating sales and marketing forces of Square Enix Ltd. (Square Enix) and Eidos Interactive (Eidos), announced today its exciting line-up of combined titles which will be on show at GamesCom 2009, Cologne, August 19th – 23rd.

GamesCom 2009 will mark the first time Square Enix and Eidos titles will be showcased together; highlighting the growing diversity of the expanding global entertainment company. This year’s stand features games developed from around the world offering highly-anticipated experiences across genres and platforms.

The playable world premiere of SUPREME COMMANDER® 2 will be joined by the eagerly-awaited BATMAN™: ARKHAM ASYLUM, DISSIDIA® FINAL FANTASY®, FINAL FANTASY XIII, FINAL FANTASY XIV, KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS, MINI NINJAS™ and ORDER OF WAR™.

“We are delighted to be a part of GamesCom 2009. As the largest European games show it is the perfect event for our newly created European organisation to showcase the combined strength of our product line up for the very first time,” said Phil Rogers, chief executive officer for the new organisation.

“This year’s show promises to be unforgettable with world premieres and our most diverse range of titles to date,” said Larry Sparks, Vice President of Brand, Square Enix products. “GamesCom 2009 gives us a great opportunity to share our most exciting upcoming games directly with consumers.”

To experience the latest titles from Square Enix first-hand, visit booth B54 in Hall 6 of GamesCom 2009. To find out more about Square Enix’s titles at GamesCom, please visit our official website at http://www.eu.square-enix.com/gamescom

GAMESCOM 2009 LINE-UP

BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Brand: Eidos
Platform: PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system / Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft / Games for Windows® LIVE
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release Date: 28th August, 2009
www.batmanarkhamasylum.com

Featuring the world-renowned characters of DC Comics, Batman: Arkham Asylum, developed by Rocksteady Studios, will offer show visitors a journey into the depths of Gotham City’s psychiatric asylum for the criminally insane as Batman faces his greatest challenge yet.

Visitors will also have the chance to experience a selection of the game’s extensive FreeFlow™ Combat and Invisible Predator™ Challenge Maps. Also playable will be one of the eight maps that allow fans to play as The Joker, a character that is playable exclusively in the PLAYSTATION®3 Challenge Maps that will be made available as a free download for owners of the game through PlayStation®Network.

DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Brand: Square Enix
Platform: PlayStation®Portable (PSP®) system
Genre: Fighting
Release Date: 4th September, 2009
www.dissidia-finalfantasy.com

DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY does what no other FINAL FANTASY title has done before, bringing together an all-star cast to give players a chance to see their favourite FINAL FANTASY characters engage in high-intensity battles. Experience this renowned franchise, which has shipped over 85 million units worldwide, in a brand new light with this dramatic 3-D action game. Soar through expansive environments and participate in gripping combat, all while enjoying RPG-based character development that adds a rich layer of depth to the story behind the clashing forces. The battle between good and evil begins – What will you fight for?

FINAL FANTASY XIII
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Brand: Square Enix
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system / Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft
Genre: RPG
Release Date: 2010
www.finalfantasy13game.com

Square Enix proudly presents FINAL FANTASY XIII, the latest instalment in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series. To celebrate the 13th numbered release in the series, Square Enix has undertaken a colossal project involving the development of various content for multiple platforms. FABULA NOVA CRYSTALLIS®, defined in Latin as “the new tale of the crystal,” is made up of several different titles based on variations of the FINAL FANTASY XIII universe. While each title in the project features different characters, different worlds and different stories, all are ultimately based on and expand upon a common mythos.

In FINAL FANTASY XIII, players will embark on a journey through the cityworld of Cocoon and the outerworld of Pulse, encountering and fighting alongside a diverse group of allies. Execute powerful attacks with weapons and magic, and summon the enigmatic Eidolons with an evolved Active Time Battle™ system. Experience seamless transitions between real-time gameplay and in-game cinematics. Do you have the courage to face your destiny?

FINAL FANTASY XIV
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Brand: Square Enix
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system / Windows PC
Genre: MMORPG
Release Date: 2010
www.finalfantasyxiv.com

The surprise announcement of E3 2009 is set to be one of the main attractions at GamesCom 2009. An all new massively-multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), planned for a simultaneous global release with language support in German, French, English and Japanese.

Adventure begins anew in the vast realm of Eorzea!

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS™
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Brand: Square Enix
Platform: Wii™
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release Date: This Winter
www.thecrystalbearers.com

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS provides a fresh take on the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series as it combines the storytelling depth, expansive world and graphical quality of FINAL FANTASY with motion-driven, real-time action gameplay. In this world, realistic gameplay and fantastical art direction are brought together for a truly unique experience for Wii users around the globe.

FRONT MISSION EVOLVED™
Developer: Double Helix Games™
Brand: Square Enix
Platforms: PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system / Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft / Windows PC
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Release Date: TBA
www.frontmissionevolved.com

From the creative minds of Square Enix and Double Helix Games, FRONT MISSION EVOLVED brings the classic FRONT MISSION® franchise into an action-packed third-person shooter that gives players full control of a massive humanoid war machine—the wanzer. Players will battle through intense combat situations as they explore an immersive world in both the single player campaign and online multiplayer.

KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd./h.a.n.d.
Brand: Square Enix
Platform: Nintendo DS™
Genre: Action-RPG
Release Date: Autumn 2009
www.kingdomheartsdays.com

Uncover the events that took place during the year Sora was asleep regaining his lost memories. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days revolves around Roxas, the “other” hero from KINGDOM HEARTS II, and his days as a member of Organization XIII. Follow Roxas and the rest of Organization XIII across the various Disney Worlds, and discover the connection between him, Sora, and the mysterious 14th member, and the reasons behind his eventual departure from the organization. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days also features a multiplayer mode for the first time, allowing players to control their favourite Organization XIII members!

MINI NINJAS
Developer: IO Interactive
Brand: Eidos
Platform: Wii / Nintendo DS / Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft / PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system / Games for Windows
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release Date: Autumn 2009
www.minininjas.com

Mini Ninjas, from IO Interactive, will take you on a journey to feudal Japan where you’ll join Hiro, Futo, and the rest of the ninja clan on their biggest ninja adventure ever, as they embark on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos.

Visitors will have the chance to get a free PC DVD containing the very first demo of Mini Ninjas to enjoy at home.

NIER™
Developer: cavia, Inc.
Brand: Square Enix
Platforms: PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system / Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release Date: 2010
www.niergame.com

Nothing is as it seems in Square Enix’s latest action adventure game, set in a crumbling world plagued by disease and dark, unrecognizable creatures. Players assume the role of the unyielding protagonist, NIER, resolute in his quest to discover a cure for his daughter, who is infected with the Black Scrawl virus. With powerful allies and a mysterious book, NIER encounters things that will confound even the mightiest of warriors.

ORDER OF WAR
Developer: Wargaming.net™
Brand: Square Enix
Platform: Windows PC
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Release Date: 18th September, 2009
www.orderofwar.com

Square Enix teams up with strategy game specialist Wargaming.net to present ORDER OF WAR, a brand-new IP set for a simultaneous release across multiple territories. Developed exclusively for Windows PC, the game features massive-scale battles brought to life with a cinematic intensity never seen before in a WWII strategy game. Players will take command of an entire army including ground troops, artillery, tank divisions and aircraft in all-out strategic assaults. The single-player mode can be played out in two campaigns – American versus German forces on the western front and German versus American and Russian forces on both fronts. Missions will be based on key historic events and operations from 1944.

PONY FRIENDS™ 2
Developer: Tantalus Games
Brand: Eidos
Platforms: Wii / Nintendo DS / Windows PC
Genre: Virtual Pet
Release date: Winter 2009
Official website coming soon.

Pony Friends 2 allows players the chance to create their perfect Pony and take part in fun activities. Featuring 12 Pony breeds players can customise every aspect of its appearance, along with its own unique personality. Players can choose all their Pony’s accessories and even design some of their own. Taking special care of their Pony to keep it clean and healthy, players can take it on trail rides across different landscapes and environments. Grab the reins, photograph wildlife and unlock a whole host of secrets on your journey.

Pony Friends 2 features an exciting and energetic competitive mode across all formats: players can compete in races and trick competitions alone or with a friend on the Wii and DS (single cart play).

SUPREME COMMANDER 2
Developer: Gas Powered Games®
Brand: Square Enix
Platforms: Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft / Windows PC
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Release date: 2010
Official website coming soon.

Set 25 years after the events of the original game, Supreme Commander 2 begins with the assassination of the newly elected president of the Colonial Defense Coalition. The CDC members – the United Earth Federation, the Order of the Illuminate, and the Cybran Nation – deny involvement, blame each other, and a galactic war ensues! Experience brutal battles on a massive scale! Players will wage war by creating enormous customizable armies and experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Take the role of one of the three enigmatic commanders, each representing a unique faction with a rich story that brings a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre, or fight the battle online. Where do your loyalties lie?

Quantic Dream founder and CEO, David Cage, has been confirmed to deliver a keynote at GDC Europe.

Cage will deliver an address entitled ‘Writing Interactive Narrative for a Mature Audience’, which will focus on the necessity of mature games that explore difficulties through interactive story-telling and solutions.

“I am excited to participate at GDC Europe and to represent France in such a well-rounded European keynote roster,” said Cage. “With the game audience maturing, we feel it’s important to share visions and ideas to define how our industry should now evolve.

“I am convinced more than ever that the most important next gen feature is emotion. How to trigger more complex emotions is our biggest challenge in the coming years.”

GDC Europe takes place August 17-19 in Cologne.

More over on GI.biz.

It is being reported that Lionhead’s set to make an announcement at GamesCom in Cologne.

The news comes from German site Gamefront, which claims Peter Molyneux will front the Microsoft press conference at the event.

Molyneux was confirmed for earlier in the month as a keynote speaker, but this is the first we have heard that he will head the Microsoft presser, scheduled for August 19 from 10-11 am.

We have sent an email off to Lionhead for confirmation. In the meantime, hit the links for more.

Via CVG.

Nordic Game will be participating in Gamescom on August 19-23, and the game booth will showcase 24 Nordic game companies and organizations.

Some of the highlights:

• Amazing Games
• Boomtown
• Donya Labs
• Fatshark
• Gogogic
• Hansoft
• Pixolane
• TeliaSonera International Carrier
• Tonic Games
• Unity 3D
• Zordix

These companies will be joined by: Artplant, Coldwood, Gotland University, Housemarque, Neogames, Nordic Soft Sales, PAN Vision, Producentforeningen, Redlynx, The Bearded Ladies Consulting, The Game Incubator, Tumbleweed and Virtual Air Guitar.

Cevat Yerli, CEO and president of Crytek, will be giving a keynote titled The Future of Gaming Graphics at GDC Europe in August.

“As a German based company, we are proud to participate in GDC Europe in Cologne,” said Yerli. “We are very excited to share and communicate our success story with our fellow European developers and inspire the newer generation.”

The keynote will focus on Crytek’s success in developing 3D technology on PC and consoles, and what the future holds for gaming graphics.

More through GI.biz.

Remedy’s managing director Matias Myllyrinne has been announced as the second keynote speaker for GDC Europe.

His keynote will be titled “From Max Payne to Alan Wake: Creating Intellectual Properties the Remedy Way,” and will focus on maintaining a small, independent company while remaining passionate about new IPs.

“Remedy revolutionized the action genre with Max Payne in 2001,” said Frank Sliwka, Vice President European Business Development of Think Services Game Group. “Their keynote exemplifies a success story of high quality games produced in Europe and enjoyed worldwide.

“We are honored to welcome Myllyrinne to the stage.”

Colonge will be THE place to be August 17-19 as GDC Europe and GamesCom will be taking the town by storm.

More over on GameSetWatch.

CCP’s Hilmar Pètursson will be one of the keynote speakers at GDC Europe in August.

The CEO’s speech is titled “CCP: Winning the War”, which discusses the company’s success stemming from near obscurity to producing one of the largest MMOs out there, EVE Online.

“GDC Europe is gearing up to be one of the industry’s most essential events,” said Petursson. “I am honored to have this opportunity to share some of the valuable lessons CCP has learned with such a prestigious audience.”

Pètursson will also provide an exclusive first look at CCP’s latest project, which is currently in pre-production and could be any number of titles the firm is working on.

More than likely it’s either the MMO World of Darkness or the upcoming first-person shooter set in New Eden.

Press release through the jump.

Thanks, GI.biz.

CCP CEO to Deliver Keynote Address at 2009 Game Developers Conference Europe

Berlin, Germany – June 10, 2009 – Hilmar Pètursson, Chief Executive Officer of CCP, one of the world’s largest independent game developers, will deliver a keynote address at the 2009 Game Developers Conference Europe entitled, “CCP: Winning the War”.

GDC Europe will take place August 17-19, 2009 at Cologne Congress Center East in Cologne, Germany, bringing together top talent from across the globe to meet, exchange ideas and showcase some of the recent advances in video games and supporting technology.

In his address, Pètursson will discuss CCP’s rise to success from relative obscurity and how the small Reykjavik-based studio overcame the stigma of producing a niche product that’s now one of the largest massively multiplayer games (MMOGs) in the world: EVE Online. As a testament to the industry’s potential for growth despite widespread economic turmoil and as an inspiration for up-and-coming independent studios, Petursson will give an exclusive first look at the company’s latest project, which is currently in pre-production.

“GDC Europe is gearing up to be one of the industry’s most essential events. I am honored to have this opportunity to share some of the valuable lessons CCP has learned with such a prestigious audience,” said Hilmar Pètursson.

Appointed CEO in January of 2004, Pètursson has led CCP’s explosive growth in terms of size and influence, including the company’s expansion into Asia and North America. Earlier this year, CCP announced plans for an extensive global expansion of the company, reflecting the global uptake of MMOGs and as evidenced by EVE’s ongoing prosperity.

To learn more about this keynote, and the up-to-date speaker and session lineup for GDC Europe visit: www.gdceurope.com.

Initial speakers for GDC Europe 2009 were announced this morning for the August event in Cologne, Germany.

Taking place August 17-19 at the Cologne Congress East Center in Germany, the first set of speakers and their subject matter are as follows:

• Flower – Design Postmortem by ThatGameCompany’s Kellee Santiago.

• Surviving Project Cancellation in the Economic Downturn by Zootfly’s Bostjan Troha.

• Advanced Racing Game AI in, by Black Rock’s Eduardo Jimenez.

• Compressing Loads of Content Into Only 20MB: A Case Study Of Swords & Soldiers for WiiWare by Ronimo’s Joost van Dongen.

• Off-Road Racing Physics, Indie Style by Twitchy Thumbs Entertainment’s Jim Buck

More speakers are to be announced soon, and you can view the current schedule over on the official website.

Online registration for GDC Europe has gone live.

The event will take place alongside Gamescom in Cologne from August 17-19 at the Cologne Congress East Center.

Over 80 lectures, panels and keynotes will take place.

“GDC Europe will serve as the premier pan-European developer event in 2009,” said Frank Sliwka, event director.

“Bringing together the best speakers and peers on the most important issues and opportunities in European game development today. Together, we will bring the quality, and reach of the GDC to Cologne but with a uniquely European flare and global outlook.”

If you plan to attend, sign up through the link.

Swilka joins Think Services VP of European business development.

“We are thrilled to present GDC Europe during gamescom,” said Kathy Schoback, Think Services global events boss.

“With the support of Koelnmesse, BIU, and the City of Cologne, Europe’s most significant games gathering will definitely be a great success, and we couldn’t be more excited to have Frank Sliwka bring his deep experience to helping deliver GDC Europe.”

The people behind GDC have been trying for years to cut a tradeshow deal in Germany: Leipziger Messe steadfastly refused to allow a GDC product to take place alongside Games Convention as it was committed to its own GCDC brand – which was headed by Sliwka.

More through there.