by Markus Oster, a vice president of Koelnmesse GmbH
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The Republic of Korea in 2012, an official partner country selected by Gamescom
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Free registration for 10 companies through Kocca (Korea Creative Content Agency)
The reason why gamers pay attention to the international game show is to have the opportunity to see and experience next new titles in advance developed by world-famous companies. However, in the middle of 2000s, world famous game shows like E3 and TGS began to focus on business riffle effect, paying much attention to B2B focused business and downsizing B2C sharply.
Gamescom to be held in Cologne, Germany is the biggest game show in Europe with over 250,000 visitors all over the world. What’s notable is that Gamescom concentrates more on B2C compared to E3 or TGS, users can enjoy the interactive exhibits. Due to this, the largest number of visitors has always been high.
Gamescom 2011 was held for 4days from Thursday, 18thof August, 2011 to Sunday, 21st of August, 2011 and the highest ever number of visitors was recorded.
About 20,000 more people joined Gamescom 2011(275,000 people) compared with the figures in 2010(254,000 people). The number of exhibitors was also highest ever with 557 companies from 39 countries exhibiting their games at the Gamescom 2011.
Gamescom has been highly successful that the number of media officials has grown by 13 percent from 4400 to 5000 and the number of company officials was increased with 21,400 people from 70 countries.
[South Korea, a partner country with win-win strategy]
“‘Gamescom 2012” goes into the partnership with Korea following Canada, the United Kingdom in partnership and they have been able to set up the base in Asia. We’re going to grow as a competitive game show in the field of mobile and online game through a partnership with South Korea. Gamescom 2012 will be held in upcoming August and they are planning to represent an increasing share of mobile and online games.
A game show held in Europe, which used to focus on console traditionally, is changing their interest into mobile and online game market. As smart-phone penetration in Europe is expanding rapidly and awareness of online games are changed, these two lead to the growth in the stagnant Europe market. To keep up with this trend, Gamescom is concentrating on online and mobile game in partnership with South Korea.
Markus Oster, a vice president of Koelnmesse GmbH, said that especially Gamescom 2012 will draw global attention as the largest ever event this year.
Korea in partnership will be given various benefits. To increase participation of smart-phone and online game companies, we have had actually increased the spaces about 15 to 20 percent more compared with last year.
There is an special offer such as special exhibition space for Kocca(Korea Creative Content Agency), small Korean companies and no registration fee.
[Maximizing B2B business]
Oster said, “Until now, Gamescom has been famous for user-oriented game show, but we have made lot of accomplishment comparable with E3 and TGS. It seems that Gamescom has basically valued the interaction with sers by operating a large B2C zone. But, in fact, it’ll be a great opportunity to take over emerging European market with business matching at the 2 big B2B zone. Markus Oster, a vice president of Koelnmesse GmbH, said that Gamescom is operating a variety of plans to expand assistance programs for B2B business matching. This is a perfect opportunity to let users and local publishers inform your company.
He is traveling around the world to inform Gamescom to media all over the world. Thus, as game companies make a quick decision to participate in Gamescom, more opportunities will be given to the company during his media tour. In addition, performance could be maximized according to its booth concept.
He said “we do hope Gamescom takes a step forward with South Korea, a partner country and it’ll be a great chance to discover the potential of Korean games in Europe.
