First Annual Independent Games Festival China Announces Finalists

SAN FRANCISCO -

Organizers of the inaugural Independent Games Festival China (IGF China) have revealed that over 100 entries were received for the first-ever showcase of Asia-Pacific indie games, and finalists have now been decided for both the Main and Student competitions, with winners revealed next week at GDC China in Shanghai.

Chinese submissions for the first-ever independent games event targeting this area — a newly formed sister event to the main yearly IGF in San Francisco — were received from Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Jiang Su Province, Guang Dong Province, Sichuan Province, and Zhejiang. In addition, overseas submissions from Asian, Asia-Pacific and Australasian nations including the Philippines, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Pakistan, Australia, Iran, South Korea and India were considered.

Finalists were chosen by a panel of distinguished local judges, including representatives from IGDA Shanghai, FZD School of Design, Activision and many more. IGF China winners will be showcased at the GDC China event, and are eligible to win up to RMB20,000 (US$3,000) in cash prizes, awards, and All Access Passes to GDC San Francisco 2010.

“The quality of work by the finalists represented at the Inaugural Independent Games Festival China is a great indicator of the developing indie movement in that region,” said GDC China event director Meggan Scavio. “We are excited to announce the finalists and celebrate the creativity and innovation in the Asia-Pacific independent game industry.”

The Main Competition finalists for the 2009 Independent Games Festival China are:

- HurricaneX2, by You Yun Tech (China) - Mind Wall, by Robinson Technologies (Japan) - DESATURATION, by Xun Zhu (China) - DONOVO, by Magic Day Studio (China) - Armor Valley by Protege Production Pte Ltd (Singapore) - Captain Forever, by Farbs (Australia) - Flat land, by Dark Hut Game Studio (China) - S.H.M.U.P, by Aaron Styles (Australia)

The Student Competition finalists for the 2009 Independent Games Festival China are:

- INK, by students from Singapore Polytechnic (Singapore) - COLOR!COLOR!!, by students from Taipei University of Education (Taiwan) - Dream Land, by students from Communication University of China (China) - Marionettes, by students from Singapore Polytechnic (Singapore) - Bumper Halloween, by students from Beijing University (China) - Autumn Dynasty: Paper Generals, by students from National University of Singapore (Singapore)

The winners of IGF China in categories including Best Game, Excellence in Art Direction, Excellence in Audio, Technical Excellence, and Student awards will be announced during the 2009 Game Developers Conference(R) China. Presented by Think Services, a division of United Business Media, GDC China returns to the Shanghai International Convention Center, October 11-13 of this year.

All IGF China finalists will be available to view at the GDC China IGF Pavilion, open to all attendees of GDC China 2009, with creators on hand to discuss their games. In addition, the invite-only IGF China ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at the La Verbena Restaurant and Bar in Shanghai. Full festival information and links to information about finalist games is available at gdcchina.com/events/igf.html.

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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 US$1.6 billion. To learn more, visit www.think-services.com.

Contact: Audrey Shen Think Services, a division of United Business Media ashen@ubmtechnology.com.cn +86-21-62787488-8701 Ben Veechai, North America +1-415-947-6280 bveechai@think-services.com

Source: Think Services Game Group

Audrey Shen, +86-21-62787488-8701, ashen at ubmtechnology.com.cn, or Ben Veechai, +1-415-947-6280, bveechai at think-services.com, both of Think Services