Gencon 2007

GEN CON INDY WELCOMES ELECTRONIC GAMES EXHIBITORS

EA, Sony, NCSoft, Blizzard, CCP Games, Fallen Earth, Eidos To Exhibit

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA JULY, 2007 Since Gen Con Indy quietly announced last November it would expand its 40-year reign in the non-electronic collectible card and hobby market to include developers and publishers of electronic games, major exhibitors including EA, CCP Games, Sony, NCSoft, Blizzard, Eidos, Atari, and Fallen Earth were quick to sign up.

Organizers of Gen Con Indy, set for August 16-19, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana are careful to point out the show is for consumers last year more than 80,000* attended and their move into the electronic games market is not an effort to replicate or capture business from other industry-only trade shows.

"Game developers and publishers clearly recognize the value in presenting their titles directly to a large group of consumers to help drive sales, and to obtain feedback from those consumers regarding upcoming titles, which may influence their development and licensing strategies," says Bill Creonte, Sr. Vice President of Business Development at Gen Con Indy. "Exhibitors are pleased that participating in our show isn't a budget-breaking investment, and that we can deliver an event that's highly attuned to the culture and experience of gaming."

Upcoming MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game) Fallen Earth is making its consumer show debut at Gen Con Indy. Fallen Earth's Lead Game Designer, Lee Hammock, says, "We had options to demo our game at several shows during the next few months, and Gen Con Indy was the best venue for us to reach a large audience of gamers."

Magnus Bergsson, Chief Marketing Officer at CCP Games, creator of hit MMOG EVE Online, says, "We decided to exhibit at Gen Con Indy again this year because of the success we had last year introducing our collectible card game EVE: The Second Genesis. Showing both products side-by-side, the CCG as well as EVE Online, to a big audience of avid game enthusiasts is a perfect fit for us."

"Ever since its inception Gen Con has been synonymous with role-playing games," says Mark Jacobs, VP and GM of EA Mythic. "As someone who has attended Gen Con quite a number of times, I couldn't be more thrilled to see the show evolve to embrace computer gaming, especially the MMORPG genre. I look forward to seeing Warhammer proudly displayed at Gen Con now and in the future."

"We consider Gen Con to be an important event in our marketing calendar," says Matt Gorman, Marketing Director, Eidos Inc. "In particular, we are keen to showcase Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures to our consumer fan base at Gen Con this year because of the event spotlight on the works of Robert E. Howard."

About Gen Con

Gen Con, LLC produces the largest consumer fantasy, electronic, sci-fi and adventure game convention in North America. Its operations include Gen Con Indy, Star Wars Celebration IV, and licensees for European and Asia Pacific Gen Con shows. It was acquired in May of 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast Peter Adkison, who solely owns the company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company's mission is to create The Best Four Days in Gaming! every year for its customers. For more information visit the website at www.gencon.com.

*Turnstyle attendance figure

GAMERS CONVERGE

Gen Con Marks its 40th Anniversary with Indy 2007

INDIANAPOLIS (July 18, 2007) Gen Con is pulling out all the stops for its 40th! The estimated 85,000 turnstile attendees will revel in the 4,500+ gaming events and more than 250 exhibits over the four day extravaganza that has become the world’s premier game convention. Starting Thursday morning and running round-the-clock attendees are part of the action joining in card games, board games, video games, table top and live-action role-playing games, seminars, films, workshops and so much more. Activities range from interactive game play and computer gaming to big money hobby-related tournaments sponsored by industry leaders like Upper Deck Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast. The event will be held August 16-19, 2007 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

In addition to the best four days in gaming, attendees can look forward to many other activities such as: celebrity guest meet and greets, dances and live entertainment, the Costume Contest, Anime Avenue, and the new Family Fun Pavilion, to name just some of what is in store and there is more.

Preview of Show Highlights:

Guardian 6- Ever wanted to be a superspy like James Bond? In Gen Con’s new interactive espionage event, you become the superspy you’ve always wanted to be! Meet mysterious strangers who’ll hand you a secret “package”. Guardian 6 is Gen Con’s new immersive espionage event that takes place throughout Gen Con and Indianapolis. Go to http://www.guardian6.com/ for more information.
Anime Avenue- Anime explodes this year with everything you would expect from a full-service anime convention. This year FUNimation is the sponsor and is bringing guests from Robotech and their show.
Gary Gygax- Gary will be the Premier Guest of Honor at the show. Forty years ago, Gary Gygax,
known around the world as the co-inventor of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and the Founder and CEO of TSR started Gen Con in the basement of his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Mike Stackpole- Bestselling New York Times bestselling author will be offering several seminars for the aspiring author.
The Premier of Trade Day- Trade Day is a new event dedicated to building the business of games. Programming will take place on Wednesday, August 15, with other events, including exclusive early access to the exhibit floor on Thursday, August 16.
Are you ready for Gamer Olympics?- Ever wonder if a real person could accomplish some of the feats a Game Master lays in front of a role-playing character? Test your skills. And if you’re a glutton for punishment, compete in the Gamer Olympics Triathlon!
The 22nd Annual Costume Contest- A Gen Con classic where attendees come to show off the best costumes at the convention.
True Dungeon and the True Dungeon Fantasy Tavern- Widely regarded as one of the coolest events on the planet, these have become a staple at Gen Con Indy. All True Dungeon events are sponsored by the great folks at Wizards of the Coast.
Training Grounds- Start the kids passion for gaming early with structured gaming events for kids art classes and more. Sponsored by Mayfair Games.
Family Fun Pavilion- This new special area on the exhibit floor is dedicated to family and broad market games -- one of the fastest growing segments at Gen Con. There will be special admission pricing on Sunday just for families.
eGame Arena/New Electronic Gaming Area- This year the eGame Arena will be located in the new electronic gaming area in the exhibit hall dedicated to just the eGame world.
Open Gaming- After hours fun at the Hyatt. Open to all attendees with a Gen Con badge.
Ruckus on the Roof (AKA Party in the Plaza)- Dance the night away at the Indiana Roof Ballroom Thursday night at our legendary opening party sponsored by Tenacious Games.
Robert E. Howard Day- Seminars, workshops and films devoted to the works of seminal author Robert E. Howard.
Gen Con Dance- It’s the Black & White Ball at the Union Station, Saturday beginning at 10 pm.
Friday Night Live- Join the Brobdingnagian Bards, Tom Smith and the great Luke Ski for music, and comedy with a twist.
Fantastic Film Festival- Screenings of favorite films like Gamers and Gamers: Dorkness Rising to name a few.

Other Classic Favorites to check out: Auction, Authors Avenue, Cardhalla 9, Blood Drive, Klingon Jail N Bail, SPA activities for the Better Half, and the Segway Challenge.

A sample preview of Event Highlights from some of the many participants:

Boardgames

Fantasy Flight Games- new games like Starcraft: the Board Game, Mutant Chronicles, World of Warcraft, tournaments for Twilight Imperium 3rd and more.
Infinite Imaginations- Originally Hero Auxillary Corps will run over 50 events
Synelix Games- latest board game “Venus Needs Men”
Train Gamers Association- Puffing Billy Tournament

Cardgames

Fantasy Flight Games- Silver Line Buffet, Smirk & Dagger and more
Playroom- Premiering Portobello Market
Upper Deck- Massive World of Warcraft events, UDE vs. System Pro Circuit, Yu Gi Oh, Wits and Wagers

Miniatures Games

Axis & Allies- Tourney is back
M Collective- Battlesar Galactica
Infinite Imaginations- enters miniatures with “All Hell Breaks Loose”
WizKids- Halo ActionClix, HeroClix, MechWarrior and more

Role Playing Game (RPG)

Include Evil Fleet, Gamewick, HERO, Fantasy Flight Games Indie Games Explosion, Infintie Imaginations, KFG, NASCRAG and

D&D for Cash- 5th annual D&D for cash.
EOS- Lesser shades of evil, unhallowed metropolis, weapon of the gods and more

Live-Action Roleplaying Games (LRP)

Events held by Bliss Street/Pixie Dust Games, BYOV, Sick & Twisted Productions, PST, Infinite Imaginations and Dark Duality Production.

To Attend

Gen Con Indy will be open to the public Thursday, August 16 through Sunday, August 19. Thursday the exhibit hall is open 11 am to 6 pm, Friday through Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 24 hour gaming takes place at the convention center and at area hotels 24 hours a day during the four-day event. The convention will take place at the Indiana Convention Center, a 620,000 square foot state of the art facility in downtown Indianapolis.

Attendees must purchase badges to gain entrance to the show. A four-day badge is $75 on site. A one-day badge is $45 on site. On Sunday, August 19 there is a special admission pricing for families. Families of 4 can attend Gen Con on Sunday for only $25.00. Children 8 and under are free with an accompanying adult. For more information and to register, call (800) 529-EXPO or visit http://www.gencon.com/.

Gen Con Announces A New Feature

The Family Fun Pavilion

INDIANAPOLIS (May 11, 2007) Gen Con is THE place where consumers, game manufacturers, and vendors get together to experience the latest and greatest the gaming industry has to offer. This year families attending Gen Con can look forward to a new feature created just for them-- the Family Fun Pavilion.

"Our Family Fun Pavilion is a great new way to help families and kids find the games which are really targeted to them. They will find everything from video games to board games in this area, making it a mini con within the con for them," said Peter D. Adkison, gaming mogul and CEO of Gen Con.

The Family Fun Pavilion is a major initiative for Gen Con creating a special area for the shows fastest growing segment. Families and children have always been a presence at Gen Con. Over the years, games like Pokémon & Yu-Gi-Oh! have brought in kids and their families to the event. Likewise over the years Gen Con has expanded its programming to appeal to families and kids including: Training Grounds an area designed to introduce kids to the gaming world with all its possibilities, SPA Activities for the Better Half events designed for the significant other who comes to Gen Con and hopes to find activities that aren't gaming related, and now the Family Fun Pavilion.

As part of their commitment to families, Hidden City Games is pleased to be the Founding Promotional Partner for the Pavilion. Families can look forward to great events and activities surrounding Hidden City Games' Bella Sara game at the Pavilion. Bella Sara, a unique combination of trading cards and a magical online world for girls, enables kids to collect beautiful, horse-themed cards and nurture virtual horses at www.bellasara.com <http://www.bellasara.com/> .

Special Offer For Families

Sunday Gen Con will offer special "Family Passes" at $25 for a family of 4 to attend from noon until the show closes at 4:00 pm. Family badge participants will also receive a special handout when they check-in. The handout will feature a list of the exhibitors in the Family

Fun Pavilion as well as a map to find this area in the exhibit hall and some additional suggestions for how to make the most out of their day at Gen Con.

To Attend

Gen Con Indy will be open to the public Thursday, August 16 through Sunday, August 19. The convention will take place at the Indiana Convention Center, a 620,000 square foot state of the art facility in downtown Indianapolis.

Attendees must purchase badges to gain entrance to the show. Badge pre-registration opens February 11 and runs thru July 9, 2007, noon PST. A four-day badge is $65 with pre-registration, or $75 on site. A one-day badge is $35 with pre-registration, or $45 on site. All pre-registration prices include tax. Children 8 and under are free with an accompanying adult. For more information and to register, call (800) 529-EXPO or visit www.gencon.com <http://www.gencon.com/> .

About Gen Con

Gen Con, LLC produces the largest consumer fantasy, sci-fi and adventure game convention in North America. Its operations include Gen Con Indy, Star Wars Celebration IV, and licensees for European and Asia Pacific Gen Con shows. It was acquired in May of 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast Peter Adkison, who solely owns the company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company's mission is to create The Best Four Days in Gaming! every year for its customers. For more information visit the website at www.gencon.com <http://www.gencon.com> .

About Hidden City Games, LLC

Hidden City Games, LLC is a privately held company headquartered in Seattle, Washington and is the exclusive licensor of Bella Sara for worldwide distribution outside of Scandinavia. The company is headed by an experienced executive team, including founder and CEO Peter D. Adkison, who formerly founded Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Jesper Myrfors, chief creative officer and original art director for Magic: The Gathering; and Paul Peterson, HCG's vice president of research and development, who was previously on the R&D team for Magic: The Gathering. Under Adkison's leadership, Wizards of the Coast created an entirely new genre of games with the release of Magic: The Gathering, which was the world's first trading card game, published in 13 languages and loved by millions of players around the world. Additionally, Adkison introduced Pokémon trading cards to North America and reinvigorated the hugely popular Dungeons & Dragons brand after acquiring it from TSR. Adkison grew Wizards into a multimillion-dollar company before selling it to Hasbro in 1999 for nearly $500 million.

About Gen Con