· More than 300 companies will be showing off over 2000 new interactive entertainment software and hardware products, including all of this year’s potential Christmas blockbusters, three months before they hit the shops.

· Xbox publishers TDK and Rage - just two of the many official partners of Microsoft’s eagerly-awaited console due out in Europe in March - will be demonstrating cutting edge games at the show including Shrek, Inline Skating and Gunmetal.

· Game Cube will also be present at ECTS, with Japanese developer/publisher Kemco unveiling "Batman – Dark Tomorrow" and "Universal Studios" for the new Nintendo console, which is also set for release in Europe next spring.

· And on Sony’s PlayStation 2 – the hugely successful Christmas 2000 hardware launch – ECTS boasts a fabulous software line up, with:

• - Midway treating an elite few to video presentations of the firm’s big PS2 hope for this year, Spy Hunter;
• - Ubi Soft showing Rayman M;
• - Rage causing a stir with GTC: Africa;
• - Koch presenting NY Race;
• - Midas unveiling a cut-price PS2 range as well as Operation Winback, G-Surfers, Penny Racers, Lakemasters 2 and Centre Court;
• - And TDK with Pryzm Chapter One: The Dark Unicorn and Casper: Spirit Dimensions.

If that’s not enough, Europe’s leading industry names will also be displaying a legion of highly anticipated games for PC, PlayStation One and Game Boy Advance. So, if you haven’t already, click on www.ects.com to register for a press pass.

ECTS STARS
The infamous ECTS Awards – or ‘Stars’ - will be presented by Emily Newton-Dunn, Emily Booth and Aleks Krotoski – presenters of Channel 4’s Bits - on Monday 3rd September at 3 pm on stand 1565 in the main hall at ExCeL. The categories are as follows:

The People’s Awards – as voted for by visitors to www.ects.com:

• · Best Console of the Year
• · Best PC Hardware
• · Best Console Game of the Year
• · Best PC Game of the Year
• · Publisher of the Year
• · Overall Best Game of the Show

Awards of the Show – as voted for by a panel of leading industry journalists at the show:

• · Best PC Game of the Show
• · Best Console Game of the Show
• · Best Handheld Game of the Show
• · Best Multiplayer Game of the Show

European Awards – as voted for by readers of key European games titles:

• · PC Game of the Year Scandinavia as voted for by the readers of PC Hemma
• · PC Game of the Year Benelux as voted for by the readers of Power Unlimited
• · Console Game of the Year Benelux as voted for by the readers of Power Unlimited7
• · PC Game of the Year Eastern Europe as voted for by the readers of CD Action
• · Console game of the Year Eastern Europe as voted for by the readers of Action Plus
• · PC Game of the Year France as voted for by the readers of Joystick
• · Console Game of the Year France as voted for by the readers of Joypad
• · PC Game of the Year Germany as voted for by the readers of PC Games
• · Console Game of the Year Germany as voted for by the readers of PlayZone, N-Zone and KidsZone
• · PC Game of the Year Italy as voted for by the readers of KwVideogiochi.it
• · Console Game of the Year Italy as voted for by the readers of KwVideogiochi.it
• · PC Game of the Year Russia as voted for by the readers of GAME.exe
• · Console Game of the Year Russia as voted for by the readers of GAME.exe
• · PC Game of the Year Spain as voted for by the readers of Solo Juegos.com

Sponsored Awards

• · CTW Award for Marketing
• · MCV Best of British Award
• · PC Format Best New Games Kit Award

Developer Awards

• · The Develop Magazine Award for British Game Design Innovation
• · The Edge Award
• · PC Gamer Best PC Game Developer

ECTS takes place on September 2 – 4 2001 at ExCeL in London. ExCeL is a trade only show - access is strictly limited to over 18s who work in the interactive entertainment industry. Proof of age and trade status will be required.