The GC Developers conference closed today with a new record attendance of 1,250 participants in Leipzig Germany.

The GC Developers Conference (GCDC) closed today with a record attendance of 1,250 participants (940 in 2007) coming from over 40 countries (37 in 2007). Over the course of the three-day conference, participants networked, exchanged ideas and discussed new developments. The last keynote address on the final day was given by Chris Taylor who rounded out the conference.

The GCDC is positioned as the leading forum for Europe. This year’s GCDC welcomed attendees from North America, Great Britain, Germany and 37 more countries. The number of developers who attended from Eastern Europe was larger than ever before signifying the rapid growth of game development in the region.

“This year’s GC Developers Conference was a truly international event with top class speakers,” said Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of the Leipzig Trade Fair.

Frank Sliwka, conference director of GCDC, explained, “GCDC is now established as one of the international leading conferences. I want to thank all of the speakers who contributed with their sessions to this high-quality program.”

Among the speakers at the GCDC this year were Bo and Ulf Andersson (Sweden, founders of GRIN), Bob Bates (USA, game designer and producer), Adam Boyes (USA, Director of Production & Business Development, Capcom Entertainment), Michael Capps (USA, President, Epic Games), Don Daglow (USA, independent game developer and consultant), Alexander and Hector Fernández (Netherlands, CEO, Streamline Studios B.V.), Eyjolfur Gudmundsson (Iceland, lead economist, CCP hf), Fred Hasson (Chairman EGDF), Alistair Hill (Great Britain, analyst, comScore M:Metrics), Joshua Hong (USA, founder and CEO, K2 Networks), Floris Janssen (Netherlands, VP Marketing, EMI Music,), Ariella J. Lehrer (USA, President and CEO, Legacy Interactive), Sean Kauppinen (USA, CEO, International Digital Entertainment Agency), Steve Meretzky (USA, Senior Designer, Blue Fang Games), David Perry (USA, Chief Creative Officer, Acclaim Games), Dan Rogers (USA, Senior Partner, Interactive Studio Management), Jos Ruffell (New Zealand, Business Development Executive, Sidhe Interactive), Oded Sharon (Israel, CEO, Corbomite Games), Chris Taylor (USA, Founder, Gas Powered Games), Margaret Wallace (USA, CEO, Rebel Monkey), and Cevat Yerli (Germany, CEO and President, Crytek).

Statements from speakers at GCDC 2008:

Jos Ruffell (Sidhe Interactive)
Leipzig has a familiar atmosphere which is really excellent for working with and meeting people from the video games industry and catching up with old friends. That’s why I like the conference.
 

Ariella J. Lehrer (Legacy Interactive)
I am at GCDC for the first time and have to admit that I am quite surprised by the fact that there are many hardcore games and male attendees. I am not used to it from other events at California where it’s more diverse. So it’s a different feeling here and I had a great time with my panel. I definitely want to come back.
 

Bo Andersson (GRIN)
For me it was the first time at GCDC. Now I do understand why everyone likes the conference so much – I’ll be back for sure.
 

Hector Fernández (Streamline Studios)
I really love the show – being here is like a big family.
 

Don Daglow (Independent Consultant and Game Designer)
As I said in my session, I just can’t stop talking about GCDC. I love coming to GCDC because Leipzig is a place with a big tradition and GCDC has just the same spirit for change and exchange of ideas.

 
Steve Meretzky (Blue Fang Games)
First I like the German beer at the GCDC and second I like the high intimacy compared to the GDC in San Francisco. You have the chance to meet everyone here and actually have a serious talk and not rush from meeting to meeting.


Bob Bates (Game Designer and Producer)
What I like most about the GCDC is the opportunity to interact intently with the attendees, mingling informally, have a beer together and sitting in a kind of ivory tower with nobody able to reach and talk to you.


David Perry (Acclaim Games)
The idea of bringing a whole bunch of people from Europe here together and to have the chance to discover so much talent is what I like most of the GCDC. It’s so interesting to meet all the young people with their new ideas, which you haven’t thought of and probably never would.
 

Chris Taylor (Gas Powered Games)
I love the fact that the GC and the GCDC are not only for publishers and developers but also for students and gamers. This really makes the difference to other conferences.

 
Michael Capps (Epic Games)
For me the attentive audience is one of the best things about the GCDC. The people are so passionate and focused. It makes much more fun to answer all those great questions.


Oded Sharon (Corbomite Games)
I really enjoyed the panels and speeches, especially the one by Meretzky. The GCDC is small enough not to get lost, but big enough for a lot of interaction with different attendees and speakers.