<![CDATA[Kotaku: Leipzig]]> http://ganja.gawkerassets.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: Leipzig]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/leipzig http://kotaku.com/tag/leipzig <![CDATA[Poor Old Leipzig Ain't What It Used To Be]]> Last year, Leipzig was host to Europe's premier games industry expo, which attracted over 200,000 people. This year? Leipzig's Games Convention Online could only attract 43,000 punters. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5329330&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[How to Pick a Name for a F2P MMO]]> At Games Convention Online in Leipzig, Germany, Gamigo announced "Project S," the working title of a fantasy, free-to-play MMO. They're taking suggestions for a real name, and a handy name generator provides many. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5328335&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Gamescon Lands Former SCEE Head as Speaker]]> Gamescon may be only a letter off from Gamescom, but the Leipzig Games Convention Online is many miles and weeks away from Cologne's massive gaming event. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5302085&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Problem with PAX]]> The Penny Arcade Expo hit a few road bumps this year, discovering that their exponential growth, while slightly slowed, is still enough to cause problems with line-management and space issues. But that's a problem easily solved, and the PA folks are all over it. The bigger problem, as I see it, is in the expo's name and its association with Penny Arcade. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5044528&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Everybody Do the Leipzig Rush!]]> There were tons of people running to get into Games Convention in Leipzig, no literally, tons of em'. Right as they opened the doors hoards of people stampeded through the halls hoping to be the first to get hands on time with the exhibits. James Bonti, Associate Producer for Activision Blizzard took this video footage and was nearly trampled himself. You can also see Crash Bandicoot leading the pack. For your courage, we salute you! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5042235&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Games Convention Über Update Post]]> The Leipzig Games Convention, the consumer showing of Europe's finest forthcoming video games (read: whatever SingStar version is planned for the Holidays), hits the Leipziger Messe from August 20 to August 24. And Kotaku was there! No, they're not there anymore, and yet they keep writing. Seriously, we can't stop. If you missed anything, peruse our massive catalog of updatage, a reference guide to everything we've written from the show updated throughout each day. If you'd prefer to "feel" Games Convention through the power of interpretive dance, we got you covered there, too. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5038318&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Games Convention Dated For 2009... And That's Final!]]> With another successful Games Convention under its belt, the folks from the Leipziger Messe, where the con throws down each year, have dated next year's show. Games Convention 2009 returns to Leipzig from August 19 to 23. Wolfgang Marzin, CEO at the Leipziger Messe GmbH, has said that "The industry and visitors are giving us their clear support to continue with the fair in Leipzig," dropping positive support data for the show to stay right where it is. According to a new release from the Games Convention hosts, the vast majority of those surveyed at the show think the show should stay in Leipzig. A competing show, known as Games Con, is planned to hit Cologne (Köln) around the same time, making for a very confusing split. Regardless of who's doing what and where, we'll be there... somewhere next Summer covering the sausage beat (and maybe playing a game or two). Final report: Games Industry Staying in Leipzig for 2009 [Leipziger Messe] More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5041600&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Behold, Leipzig's Best In Show]]> What would a games show be without awards? We wouldn't know. Haven't really seen one without awards. Don't think the back-of-the-box art bullet point teams would stand for a show without them. So without further ado, here are the Best In Show winners from the Leipzig GC last week! Sure, none of them are new games, but they're still the best games the show had, so give them all a round of applause. Best PC Game: Spore Best 360 Game: Mirror's Edge Best PSP Game: Resistance: Retribution Best PS3 Game: LittleBigPlanet Best Wii Game: Skate It Best DS Game: Sonic Chronicles (or, its more awesome German name, SONIC CHRONICLES: Die Dunkle Bruderschaft) Best Mobile Game: Pro Evo 2009 Best Online Game: Warhammer Online Best Hardware: PlayTV Best PS2 Game: "As there were too few entrants, no award was made in this category". More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5041172&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig GC Sets New Attendance Record]]> While the food was certainly better than E3's, there's one other thing about Leipzig that trumps LA's resident trade show: it's open to the public. And the public, they come in droves. Indeed, this year's Games Convention set a new record for attendance, 203,000 people passing through the Leipziger Messe's doors over the course of the show. That's a lot of people. More than TGS, even. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5041156&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Games Convention's Most Ignored Games]]> It's Saturday and the Leipziger Messe is stuffed like a bratwurst with savory Germans. In Hall 3, where Sony, Rockstar, Eidos and others have set up shop, the walkways are thick with a horrible swarm of game enthusiasts. There are lines for everything , making it nigh impossible to get on a demo station in what spoiled press members (like us!) consider reasonable timeframes. But not every game is getting attention. We hit the floor during the con's busiest day to find out what the Euros are ignoring completely. Which titles are the Germans passing on in favor of sleeping, begging shamelessly for t-shirts or watching a dubbed Police Academy 2? We show you (and explain why) in this very post. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5040870&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Guinness World Records Set At Leipzig GC]]> Actually, there may have been several unofficial records set at the Games Convention - most teutonic booth babes, most embarrassing erection at a major trade show, etc. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5040646&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Games Convention As Interpretive Dance]]> The Leipzig Games Convention is a show slathered in spectacle, with big booths, booming sound systems, and lovely female companions to distract from each game's graphical shortcomings. What you might think it would be lacking in are interpretive dance routines. You'd be wrong, as the Germans have come through in a major way, capturing the essence of the show in a four minute dance number that will inspire you to... possibly never come to Germany. Writhing and high kicking to the sounds of Video Games Live! and choreographed by Irina Pauls, this bedazzled, spandex-packed celebration is one reason we love coming here. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5040368&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Heavy Rain Will Get A Demo, Possibility Of DLC]]> Quantic Worlds has confirmed that there will be a demo of the PS3-exclusive noir-thriller Heavy Rain as well as holding out the tantalizing prospect of some downloadable expansions. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5040007&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[EA Sports Adds Tennis To '09 Line Up, Snags Wimbledon Rights]]> Peter Moore announced that EA Sports would be adding tennis to its line-up of games in 2009, with rights for the Wimbledon tennis tournament exclusively going to EA. Although Moore didn't provide a name for the EA created tennis game — unless it's simply EA Sports Tennis — he did say that development on the EA Sports addition would be leading on the Wii, with the game supporting the Wii MotionPlus peripheral. EA Reps also namedropped professionals like Chris Everett, Pete Sampras and Boris Becker, hinting but not confirming that Grand Slammers throughout the years would be featured. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5039248&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[PC Gaming a $10.7 Billion Industry]]> The PC gaming industry pulled in $10.7 billion in 2007, with only 30 percent of that coming from retail sales, the president of the PC Gaming Alliance said today. Speaking at the Games Convention Developer's Conference in Leipzig, Rand Stude said that online PC gaming was the top revenue earner in 2007 for PCs, pulling in $4.8 billion, nearly double the worldwide retail sales for PC games. Digital distribution sales approached $2 billion, while advertising revenues from websites, portals, and in-game ads accounted for $800 million. "Our analysis clearly shows incredible growth in online PC gaming, proof that this industry is far stronger than anyone has reported," said Stude. "Today's consumers shop where they live - online." These numbers, I think, will be much more meaningful next year when we have something to compare them to. Hit the jump for the full release. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5038833&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[No PS3 Price Cut At Leipzig]]> Hoping for a PS3 price cut at Leipzig next week? Foolish optimist. There'll be no such thing, with SCEE's Nick Caplin telling Reuters "It's not going to happen. If you're coming for that you'll be disappointed". Might be disappointing, but not unexpected, as it fits with Sony's plan to reduce the cost of the machine on their end (so they can make some money back), not the cost of the machine on your end. Sony plans no PS3 price cuts at Leipzig games fair [Reuters] More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5037787&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[LittleBigBlockOfFlats]]> There are many, many ways you could tart up a dreary, Communist-designed block of old flats in Eastern Germany. You could knock them down, for starters. Or, if that's a little drastic, you could always give them a new coat of paint. Or you could overboard and cover the entire side of the building in a LittleBigPlanet motif ahead of the Leipzig Games Conference, which kicks off next week. Up to you. Leipzig is ready for GC [GC Blog] More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5037367&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[1C's Games Convention Line-Up Featuring Playable Theater of War 2]]> 1C Company is invading this year's Games Convention with a hefty line-up of first-person shooters, role-playing games, strategy and racing titles. Their booth at the Leipzig show will include new builds of King's Bounty: The Legend and Men of War, Cryostasis, NecroVisioN, 4x4 Hummer, Death Track: Resurrection, Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943 and two new console titles - Captain Blood and IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. Hit up the jump for the full press release and a bit more detail on the games. And remember we'll be at this year's Games Convention with bells on*, so check back for our coverage later this month. *Fahey will not actually be wearing any bells. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5036536&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[No Leipzig Press Conference From Microsoft]]> Expecting a big announcement from Microsoft at Leipzig? Don't! The company have confirmed that they won't be holding a press conference at the show, instead choosing to focus on...booths and demos. Demos that won't include Gears of War 2, since that game will be absent from the show entirely. So...no Microsoft presser, no Gears 2, and Nintendo won't be at the show at all...that leaves us with a single, solitary press conference. Which is Sony's, on August 20. No arguments over best presser this time! Confirmed: No Microsoft press conference at Games Convention [VG247] More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5036415&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[What's EA Bringing To Games Convention?]]> Electronics Arts is going to represent big at the Leipzig Games Convention this year. It's bringing something like three zillion titles to the event by our count, titles like Dragon Age, Dead Space and Mirror's Edge to name but a few. While we've seen a good portion of these titles at E3 and pre-E3 events, we're going to see two unannounced games, something we're sure to learn more about at EA's Games Convention press conference. The better news is that, despite our previous hands-on time with games like Left 4 Dead and Crysis Warhead, we're going to see all new areas and content. Plus we're going to pester developers for nuggets of info and embarrassing quotes that will come back to haunt them. We're looking at you Gabe Newell. Hit the jump for the full list — minus two — of what EA's bringing to Leipzig. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5035012&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[What's Atari Bringing To Games Convention?]]> Well, this sucks. Atari says the company plans to "turn up the summer heat" at the Leipzig Games Convention this year. Unfortunate, because the Leipziger Messe can get pretty sweaty, something Fahey and I aren't going to appreciate when we're perspiring pure Pilsner. How's Atari affecting climate change in Leipzig this year? Hot(t) games, of course! They'll be showing lots of stuff, including What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver for Nintendo DS, My Horse and Me 2 for Wii and DS, The Witcher Enhanced Edition and Alone in the Dark for the PlayStation 3. If that's not already giving you pit stains, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 and Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit will also be there, increasing the spiked hair factor by 9000 percent. Hopefully, Phil Harrison will be there and we can creep him the fuck out one more time. For the full list, hit the press release, after the jump. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5034877&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Games Convention 08 Is Press Conference Central]]> The 2008 Games Convention in Leipzig Germany is almost upon us, with McWhertor and I already gathering supplies for our long trek across the ocean. This marks my first journey outside of the continental United States, and while I am a bit nervous, judging by the press conference schedule at the convention I'll have no time to accidentally cause any international incidents. There'll be press conferences from Electronic Arts, Disney, Midway, Konami, Ubisoft, Deep Silver, Activision, Atari, JoWood, dtp Entertainment, and Sony Computer Entertainment Germany...and that's just day 1. Granted day 2 is filled with press conferences from the likes of Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig, which I know you are all dying to hear about, but it's still a pretty jam-packed show while I practice my German. Werden wir Litauen überfallen? I am so ready. Press dates [Games Convention Website] More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5033291&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Don't Expect Bungie's "Announcement" At PAX]]> When Bungie's plans to announce their new game went tits-up at E3 last week, it meant they'd have to save it, and go announce it at the next big event. That big event obviously wasn't Comic-Con, so a quick look on the calendar reveals...oh, could it be PAX, which kicks off on August 29? No, silly. Bungie have issued the following statement on their website:
For the record, we have no plans to make any big announcements or huge reveals at PAX this year. While we will have some Halo 3 multiplayer stuff for you to check out, this is not going to be the "big announcement" many of our fans are clamoring for. Rest assured that when the time is right, we will be making announcements and talking about the stuff we're currently working on. At the moment we do have three distinct projects underway within Bungie - some familiar, some not. Some on a closer horizon, some quite far off.
Three projects, at least one of them a Halo project, noted, thanks. Oh, and for the disappointed, just because they're keeping mum at PAX doesn't mean they can't announce anything at Leipzig, which starts August 20. Bungie @ PAX [Bungie] More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5028948&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Not Moving, We Are Very Confused]]> We. Are. Confused. 2008 was supposed to be the last year the Games Convention was held in Leipzig. Starting next year, we were meant to get a bigger, badder European show in the more travel-friendly city of Cologne. We were happy with this news, we'd accepted it, were reading up on Cologne seeing who does the best fry-up breakfast. But now the organisers of Leipzig have announced that they'll be staying on, and will be holding another Games Convention in 2009. Which, if we're not mistaken, will give us two tradeshows in Germany next year. And we all know that, in the interests of good business, there can (and shold) be only one. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5020131&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Nintendo Not Attending Leipzig This Year]]> We just got a press release from Nintendo of Europe, announcing that Nintendo will not be attending the Games Convention in Leipzig later this year. Seems that recent events like local shows and roadshows (for both the public and media) have "led to many positive experiences", so after E3 they'll be sticking to more of those, and ditching their presence at Europe's largest gaming expo. Strange move, what with Leipzig attracting around 185,000 people last year and all, but whatever. While they stress the decision isn't a criticism of Leipzig, it's important to note that at the conclusion of the presser, Nintendo Germany's Dr. Bernd Fakesch iterates that this decision applies only to GC 2008, the last year it'll be held in Leipzig. As for next year's bigger, better, badder Games Con in Köln, they say they'll "evaluate" the decision next year. Right. Poor Leipzig. What'd it ever do to you, Nintendo? More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=392934&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Ramps Up Incoming Transportation]]> For those of you planning to travel to the Games Convention in Leipzig this year will be happy to know that the organizers are making it easier for you to get there. Many additions ahve been made including six new charter flights from various locations in Europe including Amsterdam, Helsinki, London, Munich, Paris and Vienna. If the plane isn't your thing you can also take the Deutsche Bahn which will have a special ticket that can be purchased by conventioneers from any DB rail station. And if that isn't enough for you, direct coach service will be available from over 30 locations in Germany itself. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=370803&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Might (*Might*) Still Go Ahead in 2009]]> Well, somebody doesn't know when they're beat. Despite the announcement of a new major international games show in 2009, which is backed by the German industry and will be held in the city of Cologne, the organisers of the Leipzig Games Convention just don't know how to quit. A Leipzig spokesperson has told Eurogamer.de:
steht die Games Convention 2009 weiterhin im Kalender (For now, the 2009 Games Convention is still on the calendar).
Defiant! Though to be fair, they say they'll be taking a longer look at the show's survival prospects after speaking with publishers at this year's show, where they'll no doubt be told thanks, really, it's been a great seven years. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362174&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Officially Moving To Köln]]> Those German insiders were right on the money: the Leipzig Games Convention is moving, and in the process getting a new name: Games Con. From 2009 the show - renamed because it lets them use the popular "GC" acronym even though the Leipzig team refused to relinquish the name "Games Convention" - will be held in the western city of Köln, which will not only increase the number of public visitors but also make it easier for industry types to get to the show. Which is all well and good, but "Leipzig" had a warm ring to it that the cold, teutonic "Köln Games Con" just can't match. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=359490&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Looking More And More Likely To Move]]> The show, that is. Not the city. Rumours have been all over the place lately surrounding the future of the Leipzig Games Convention, fuelled by this piece from a German financial paper that reckons the show will be moving to Köln in 2009. It's not the first time the show's been rumoured to be on the move, but it's definitely the most convincing, and is helped along today by further news that a "senior German industry source" has told videogaming247 he's "99% sure" the show will be moving, citing the need for better air links and accommodation options as the show grows in size and importance. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=356261&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[GC Anchored to Leipzig]]> I've kinda grown fond of Leipzig. Sure there's not a whole bunch to do there and having the opportunity to check out Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt every night after spending the day covering the Games Convention would be Zuuupear Koole, but there's something to be said for a town dwarfed by the show it hosts. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=296118&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Rock Band Vs. Reality]]>
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]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=294527&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Public Play Pong Dress]]>
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]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293651&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[GC Asia Announced Just to Piss Us Off]]> ENOUGH WITH THE SHOWS. E3 ends, and shortly after that, there's Leipzig. Just after that, there is PAX. Then? Then we've got the Tokyo Games Show. But between PAX and TGS, there's GC Asia, which runs from September 6-9 in Singapore. Sony will be in appearance at GCA, showing off PS3 and PSP games, while Nintendo will be using the event to launch the Wii in the region (cue Wii Sports kiosks). Also, Electronic Arts will be showing off 15 titles, including Crysis, FIFA 08 and Rock Band. Expect appearances by Blizzard and Nokia NGage as well! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=294070&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Killzone 2 Developer Walkthrough]]> More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293604&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Halo 3 The Ride, Hands-On]]>
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]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293603&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Leipzig Uber Round-Up]]> The Games Convention may have wrapped up Sunday evening, but our coverage continues. Expect to see more impressions, stories, videos, cultural oddities and images from Leipzig over the remaining week. In case you missed what we've done so far I've listed our stories to date on the jump. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293498&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Sony Sprint]]> More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293410&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Missing at GC07 - Class Action Lawsuits]]> More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293230&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sloppy Seconds - Lair]]> Click to viewContinuing my second takes from the floor of GC07 in Leipzig, I had my first hands-on with Lair (despite being within feet of a playable station on more than one occasion). After playing for about 15 minutes, here are my thoughts (I like it, btw): More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=292997&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Metal Gear Solid 4 Theme & Actresses Revealed]]> Hideo Kojima revealed today at Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4-only press conference the "Beauty and the Beast" story theme for Kojima Productions' next. The game will feature a number of characters and bosses based on real-life actresses and models, all of whom were motion captured by Kojima Productions to lend an extra dose of reality to their virtual characters, a first for the series. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=292564&view=rss&microfeed=true