Game Connection, Lyon 2010

Continuing the topic of international gaming conferences and exhibitions, I want to tell you about the event called Game Connection, which our company visited last week.

Briefly about the event

Several times a year, Game Connection gathers representatives of various companies from the gaming industry for b2b parties. The slogan of the event is simple as a strike with a hammer about a snnu: We give [key] players of the [industry], you make deals.

How it works

Participants negotiate upcoming meetings over the course of several weeks through the GC Meeting System. And then for three days these meetings are held together at the event itself in separate rooms or at tables in the main hall. GC is a great opportunity to meet most of your partners in one place. The same, in fact, occurs at other conferences, but on the sidelines and unorganized. Reports on the GC was not, and as far as I know, does not happen.
')

International contingent

Previously, GCs consisted mainly of console gamers. This time everything is a little: developers / publishers of MMO, studios with products for PSN and XBL, developers for iPad, iPhone (though not many), developers of social network applications, monetizers, a couple of teams brought their 3D engines. Attended Google Ireland. Some companies visited the exhibition as a business-visitor. Full list of participants

From the new and interesting

Turbulenz offered a system representing something in between OnLive , Steam and Quake Live . By installing a small browser plugin, users are able to play modern three-dimensional single-player and multiplayer games. General catalog of games and monetization system is attached.

There was also one payment system , offering users to link their account in any of the European banks to the IVR and make payments on a call by entering the password and the order number by dialing.

On the day before the conference, everyone was taken on a tour of the Bandai Namco and EA offices. In BN, everything is very nicely decorated: large spaces, huge desktops, many figurines of game characters, posters and other souvenirs. Even after 6 pm, half the employees are at work. EA in the office did not drive. Only showed a presentation on what they are cool and a couple of trailers (there was no insider). From 30 minutes of a dull story, I highlighted one thought: every year, EA publishes fewer games and earns more and more from them.

This novelty for me is over.

What it looks like

Everything took place in a huge congress center. The conference occupied a “basement” room in one of the buildings.



Hall with stands and mini-bar with coffee and mini croissants.



One half of the room was occupied with tables (80 pieces), the other - with rooms (160).



Several regional zones were distinguished: Mexicans, British, Brazilians, Spaniards, and of course the French.







Ours (in the broad sense of the word) would also have accumulated on such a separate zone, but the idea was rejected, probably because no common name could be given to this group of companies except “Russian-speaking”.

Canadians invited to build a business in Canada. They boasted that they have a place where you capture three important time zones at once: the east and west coasts of the United States and Europe.



A girl from Only Lyon company came to our booth, which offered completely free of charge (!) Comprehensive support to foreigners and visitors who want to open a branch of their company or a new business in Lyon: from registering a company and finding an office to placing children in kindergarten and organizing personal of life. I must say that such Samaritan offices exist in many developed countries. Even at conferences in this country one can meet their representatives.

Ardrone'ovtsy conducted demonstration flights on the first and second day, gave everyone a try ...



Around a dozen people were constantly crowded around the company, there were heated discussions. It was all over when the control was received by a Russian pilot from Alavar. The flimsy design of the device failed even three consecutive crash tests on a concrete wall. Apparently for Russia, they will have to prepare a version with a cast iron frame.

"Russian" in the city

Our room and the room of our respected partners and masters of boobs-marketing - the company AmberGames .



We are strengthening partnerships with representatives of Upjers . Finnish colleagues strengthened relations with partners more and more. But for moral and ethical reasons, I can not publish these photos.



Wargaming.net - these guys are guilty of creating a fast-growing game WorldofTanks .



Representatives of 1C , Yuplay , Netville and Alawar were also noticed.

Strong organization

Dinners were just fabulous. At the GC, the best food was served (and there was wine on the tables too) from all the gaming conferences I attended.





More on the GC do not skimp on good bags.



The organizers themselves are very nice and ready to help people. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to the whole GC team.



Female cloakroom attendants give you fiery French kisses, I wish you success in the field of game-making!



Go ahead for gold, minerals and gas!

P.S. About errors and inaccuracies, in case of detection, please report through the LAN.