Advisory Board and Event Lineup Announced for First Annual Canadian GDC

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The Think Services Game Group and Reboot Communications have announced the content and advisory board for the first annual Game Developers Conference(R) Canada (GDC Canada). According to NPD Canada, the Canadian game industry grew by 23% in 2008 reaching C$2.09 billion in revenues. GDC Canada plans to serve this fast-growing region by providing a forum for Canadian developers to share best practices for fostering ingenuity and quality within their globally distributed games. Unique to GDC Canada's content lineup is an emphasis on the production cycle of game development, with tracks focused on: Concept/Preproduction, Production, Finalling and Post Launch/Analysis. By organizing the conference tracks according to the stages of development rather than specific fields, participants can better understand production cycle efficiencies and their teammates' point of view. The Game Developers Conference(R) Canada is taking place May 12-13, 2009 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. Registration is now open at the official GDC Canada webpage www.gdc-canada.com.

"It oftentimes gets overlooked how much development activity occurs in Canada. With companies like EA, Activision, Disney Interactive Entertainment, and Ubisoft, responsible for production of major titles the region exerts a greater-than-realized impact on the global game industry," says Izora de Lillard, Event Director at Think Services Game Group. "It's important to bring to attention the work, developmental challenges, and opportunities of Canadian developers in a meaningful forum such as the Game Developers Conference."

The advisory board for GDC Canada is composed of expert industry veterans throughout Canada including:

    --  Brenda Bailey - Deep Fried Entertainment
    --  Steve Bocska - - Pug Pharm
    --  Ron Clement - Bioware
    --  Howard Donaldson - Disney Interactive Studios
    --  Derek Elliot - Ubisoft
    --  Dave Elton - EA (Blackbox)/IGDA
    --  Tabitha Hayes - EA
    --  Dan Irish - Threewave
    --  Jerome Kashetsky - National Research Council of Canada
    --  Matt Robinson - Bioware
    --  Gerri Sinclair - Great Northern Way Campus
    --  Douglas Tronsgard - Next Level Games
    --  Tarrnie Williams - THQ Canada (Relic)
    --  Kelly Zmak - Radical Entertainment

To address the growing talent, demand and opportunities within Canada, the Game Developers Conference(R) Canada will play host to a one day Game Career Seminar. Additionally, for developers looking to address the emerging challenges of game development, the Future Play Conference @ GDC Canada, an annual conference hosted by Algoma University, will enable academic, industry and government interests to present and promote research in the area of video game development.

To register for GDC Canada, learn about sponsorship opportunities or to view conference information, please visit www.gdc-canada.com.

About Think Services, a division of United Business Media

Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using educational events, consulting, training, certification, membership, and innovative media. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity with its products and services. The division's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer Management Institute (ICMI), and HDI. Think Services is a subsidiary of United Business Media, a global media and marketing services company with a market capitalization of more than $1.6 billion.

To learn more, visit www.think-services.com

About United Business Media Limited

United Business Media Limited (UBM) is a global media and marketing services company that informs markets and brings the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. UBM serves professional and commercial communities, from IT professionals to doctors, from journalists to jewelry dealers, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. UBM employs more than 6,500 people in more than 30 countries. UBM's businesses operating in the US include CMPMedica, Commonwealth Business Media, Everything Channel, PR Newswire, RISI, TechInsights, TechWeb and Think Services. UBM is listed on the London Stock Exchange (UBM.L) and has a market capitalization of $1.6 billion.

For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com

About Reboot Communications

Reboot Communications Ltd. is a Canadian company based in British Columbia, that specializes in organizing and implementing national and international conferences focused on information technology, public safety, privacy and security, health, electronic gaming and counterterrorism. Over the past twelve years, Reboot has provided a full spectrum of conference management services to the private and public sector, including: marketing and communications, logistics, agenda development, sponsorship sales, research and intergovernmental expertise.

For more information please visit: http://www.rebootconference.com/

About Algoma University

Algoma University is home to approximately 1,200 students. Offering a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Computer Science, Masters in Computer Games Technology, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social Development, and Biology; Algoma U is committed to offering a personal education experience unlike any university in Ontario. Algoma University's Master of Science (Computer Games Technology) is designed in close association with games companies. Completion of this course will ease your transition into the lucrative and rapidly growing gaming industry. To learn more about the MSc Computer Games Technology degree visit www.mastersingaming.com

To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca.

Web site: http://www.think-services.com/