Tag Archives: Wolfgang Marzin

This isn’t going to get any simpler, is it? Speaking to MCV, Games Convention boss Wolfgang Marzin has trashed 2009 Cologne show gamescom as a “ridiculous” idea.

“We know the truth,” he told MCV. “We’ve already proved that GC works, and we have trade backing – nobody wants a show in September. Another copy of GC in Germany is ridiculous; what is the benefit of holding another show? I am confident that the big show will be GC next year.”

Others, such as Koch MD and BIU member Klemens Kundratitz are less convinced, however.

“There will not be another show of any relevance in Germany,” he said, referring to any other effort next year outside of gamescom. “[Leipzig] might try something, but the top 12 publishers are in the BIU and we are committed to take the show to the next level in Cologne.

“The facts are that we have had a great time for seven years at Leipzig Games Convention, but it is now at the stage where it requires a new environment.”

And on it rages.

We already have proof positive that Leipzig is to remain GC’s central base of operations, but the super-sized convention may soon be expanding its empire onto North American shores.

“The concept is flexible and the network of the global games industry permits us to be active at different locations. After the Southeast Asian Games Convention, we are now focusing on the North American market,” said Leipziger Messe boss Wolfgang Marzin.

The news comes after a highly successful GC08, and confirmation that next year’s show will indeed take place, despite the BIU putting on GamesCOM in Cologne for the first time in 2009.

The full press release, mostly elaborating on the boasts in the aforelinked post, is after the break.

By Nathan Grayson

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Leipziger Messe just put out a press release spelling out in 40-foot high letters than Games Convention will still take place in Leipzig in 2009.

From the missive:

In response to individual reports in the media in recent months claiming that the GC – Games Convention 2009 would be held elsewhere, the Leipziger Messe boss Wolfgang Marzin clarifies: “The GC – Games Convention is not moving”. Marzin emphasises that the Games Convention is still available to the national and international industry. As the organisers of the GC – Games Convention, the Leipziger Messe would continue to pursue its international strategy. The strength of the world-famous and positively perceived “GC – Games Convention” brand must be exploited to continue expansion of the globally structured concept. An important element in this regard was the Games Convention Asia (GCA) which has been held annually in Singapore since 2007, as Wolfgang Marzin reports.

Got that? IT ISN’T MOVING. It’s just that the show officially sanctioned by the BIU, GAMESCom, will be held in Cologne in September next year. Well handled there, German people.

Full thing after the link.

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