GDC Austin, Now Named Game Developers Conference Online, Returning to Austin, Texas October 5-8, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Think Services Game Group, organizers of the industry-leading Game Developers Conference (GDC), has announced that the former GDC Austin show – now named Game Developers Conference Online (GDC Online) -- will return to Austin for this year's October 5-8, 2010 event.

Now in its eighth year at its vibrant Texas venue, the major game trade show and expo has always chiefly been themed around online games, reflecting the local importance of MMO's and online games, thanks to pioneering Austin-based developers like Origin (Ultima Online), and current studios like BioWare Austin (Star Wars: The Old Republic) and Sony Online Entertainment (DC Universe Online).

However, in recent years, the conference has attracted thousands of new worldwide visitors, thanks to its unique position in the hip, culture-friendly city and its nurturing of major emerging topics --from social network games through virtual goods and beyond. Its ability to track forward-facing trends and best practices in online and connected gaming, including design, technical, and business takeaways, makes GDC Online unique among game conferences.

With visionary keynotes, expo hall, and vital networking events in one of America's most creative and independent locations, GDC Online serves as an international hub for developers and business professionals to learn how to take advantage of opportunities in the connected and social gaming space.

For four days this October, GDC Online will feature enlightening business development talks, deep-dive technical sessions on programming for connected games, and an expo hall that brings together leading publishers, tool-vendors and service providers for online and social games.

Therefore, newly monikered to better reflect its focus on the dynamic online gaming market – one that has seen an explosion of growth of non-traditional gamers -- GDC Online will return to the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas on October 5-8, 2010.

"All the GDC events in Austin have built a strong reputation for engaging the online development community, and for serving as an essential forum for developers to learn and network. We're proud to say that GDC Online will continue this legacy," says Izora de Lillard, Event Director, GDC Online, "Whether you're an up-and-coming social game developer, an experienced online game creator looking for technical gems, or a business professional looking to expand into the online game space, GDC Online will be the place to be on October 5-8."

The call for submissions for GDC Online will open in late spring 2010. For more information on the event, please visit www.GDCOnline.com.

About the Think Services Game Group

A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the Think Services Game Group offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, GameCareerGuide.com, WorldsInMotion.biz and other Gamasutra Network websites, the Game Developers Conference®, the Game Developers Conference® Austin, the Game Developers Conference® Europe, the Game Developers Conference® China, the Game Developers Conference® Canada, GDC Mobile, the Game Career Seminars, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. To learn more, visit www.tsgamegroup.com

About United Business Media Limited (www.unitedbusinessmedia.com)

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.

SOURCE Think Services Game Group