ELSPA, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, and European Games Network (EGN) organisers London EventCo today outlined details of 17 new exhibitors for EGN, including global games leaders Sega, Nintendo and NCsoft. At the same time ELSPA cautioned companies and individuals from across the UK, European and global games business "not to be misled by claims of other show organisers".
The 17 exhibitors confirmed this week include Nintendo, Sega, NCsoft, Gusto Games, Diosoft, OPM, Game Infinity, Phoenix Games and Elite Systems. All will have an exhibiting presence at the September event with booths and meeting rooms.
Roger Bennett, director general of ELSPA, said: "These are tremendous additions to the existing roster of exhibitors at EGN. They represent a diverse range of products and services and demonstrate the breadth of appeal that EGN has across the complete gaming channel."
EGN has already confirmed attendees from over 300 companies from 35 plus territories around the world, including Electronic Arts, Atari, Eidos, Activision, Vivendi Universal, Nokia N-Gage, UbiSoft, Microsoft, Gizmondo, Acclaim, Empire, Amazon, Square Europe, Leader, Koch Media, Just Flight, Buena Vista Games, Capcom, Konami, Codemasters, Rockstar, Sony Computer Entertainment, Vodafone, Future Publishing, Centresoft, GAME, Gamestation, Gem Distribution, 20:20 Games, Dixons, WH Smiths, Woolworths, Toys 'R' Us, Blitz Games, Pinnacle, Kuju, Sony DADC, Rebellion, Elixir Studios, Swordfish Studios, IOMO, Argonaut, Bigben Interactive, Distinctive Development, Zoo Digital, Hip Interactive Europe, and many many more.
Meanwhile, ELSPA's Roger Bennett offered a word of caution to the global games business: "The games industry is putting its weight behind EGN, as is proven by the list of heavyweight publishers and development studios who have already confirmed as exhibitors. In our opinion, other organisations are being extremely liberal with the facts. That's up to them; they are the ones who will have to deal with the consequences of their actions. However, no one wants anyone in the industry, whether they are travelling internationally or domestically to be misled. We would therefore urge people in the strongest possible terms not to be distracted by the claims of others. The games industry will be at EGN in September."
European Games Network, the industry facing event for everyone in the business of games, takes place at London ExCeL 1st – 3rd September, alongside newly announced creative-focused event, European Developers' Forum: The Interactive Entertainment Conference. These two trade events run side by side with major consumer show, Game Stars Live, 1st – 5th September 2004.