Leipzig Game Convention 2008

When I first arrived at the Leipzig Convention Center for the Game Convention this year, I was honestly overwhelmed.  The sheer size of the place is enough to accomplish that, let alone the simple beauty of the construction.  With a central, glass-encased tunnel guarded by a pond and fountain, one barely notices the five convention halls surrounding the area.

Each hall is about the size of an airplane hangar, and four of those five are large open areas that allow for booths to be set up by the exhibitors.  The fifth hall is more akin to an open-air office area, with meeting rooms at each end on the main level and three separate levels connected by an escalator leading to seating areas, smaller rooms and all lit by a fabulous skylight in the center.  Upon our arrival, just a day before the Expo began, there were already people bustling everywhere in preparation for the thousands of people set to descend upon Europe’s largest gaming convention of the year.

And descend they did.

With exhibitors from every platform displaying their wares in any fashion imaginable, there was no time for standing still.  Every available inch of the entire center was taken up by some activity, many of which provided hours of entertainment to attendees.  I was actually surprised by the lack of costumes that are prevalent at the Penny Arcade Expo and Comic Con… it seems Europeans are much more interested in seeing than being seen.

Of course, there were the occasional booth babes to draw a crowd.  However, these were often overshadowed by the loud music, flashing lights, billows of smoke, and live stage events going on in most of the halls throughout the center.  For instance, Guitar Hero was a major attraction – and they played to the crowd continuously throughout.  A full-size stage, a band, and dark lighting in the general area were a perfect setting for an impromptu concert. There were several throughout the course of the event, and it was great fun to watch the fans of this game come together to cheer each other on.

But what about MMOs?  You can bet they were in attendance.  The highly anticipated Warhammer: Age of Reckoning had a huge area complete with stage, big screen, and play area full of systems running the game for users to play and check out.  They also had a very large line leading into an enclosed hut – one can only assume for attendees to get in to see some of the bits and pieces of the title that have not yet been released.  Me… I wasn’t about to stand around for 30 minutes in a long line.  So I waited outside, and watched a fabulous exchange put on for the benefit of the fans by none other than Paul Barnett and Jeff Hickman.  The two placed a translator between them and played out the epic battle between Order and Destruction.

Paul and Jeff style.

Not to be outdone, however, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures also put together an awesome area, complete with auditorium-style seating to watch their trailer (the PG-13 version, of course), along with interior rooms for private viewings of the more *ahem* serious content.  I had an opportunity to sit down in one of the press sessions and find out just what the status of AoC is, and I’ll give you more on that later.  But for now, suffice it to say that Funcom feels they are aware of the players’ concerns, and they are seeking to address them.

Naturally Blizzard was there in style, with their awesome trailer for Wrath of the Lich King displayed in all its glory on the back wall of their area.  I must say, it’s far more impressive on a 20-ft high big screen than it is on our little computer monitors.  The detail is amazing, and even though I’m not a big fan of World of Warcraft, I was automatically drawn into the story with just this 3 minute viewing.  One thing that can be said for Blizzard… they always produce high quality eye-candy.  And this was no exception.

With all that was going on it was hard to think about the absolute press of people surrounding me.  It’s been said that over 200,000 people attended the Leipzig Game Convention, but it sure didn’t seem like it.  The entire center being so large I’m sure played a part in that, but for once I can tell you that my attention was drawn in every direction so often that I didn’t think about the thousands of people all around me.  Rather, they were part of what was drawing my attention – but it was more like yet another attraction in this MMO-style carnival than a troublesome issue to be dealt with.  Everyone was moving about in a sort of choreographed rhythm set to the tune of a song only they could hear, all the while drawing those around them onto the stage of this massive play.

There was a rumor, for a brief time, that the Game Convention might be moving out of Leipzig next year, but I am pleased to report that this is not the case.  Personally, I think it would be a shame to not keep it in the same venue for years to come.  By far this was one of the most organized and interesting conventions I’ve attended… plenty of space, lots of areas to relax, tons of elbow room for the exhibitors to spread their wings and really show their stuff, and room to grow.  Also, before I forget, there were small catered restaurants set at the connections to each hall throughout the entire center, so one could stop and grab a quick bite during the day no matter where one happened to be.

All in all, I had a great time in Leipzig this year and hope that I get to return again in 2009.  This is one convention that every enthusiast should visit at least once in their lifetime, as mere pictures and a few words just don’t do it justice.

Maggie "AutumnKiss" Olsen
Senior Editor, ZAM Network

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