CES To Increase Game Exhibit Space By 65%

Organizers of the 2008 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) have announced that video games software and hardware will be featured more prominently than ever at January’s event, with exhibit space for games increasing by as much as 65 percent. Video games exhibitors will be based in one central location at the event, including CES debutants Commodore Gaming, Entropia Universe, Red Lion Interactive, Shuttle Computers and War Machine. Also present will be LumiSource, Red Beard and InterAction Laboratories, with Microsoft and Sony also showcasing video games content at their general booths. Other games related content promised for the event includes a number of specific partner programs and conference tracks, including the previously announced “CES Game Power Conference Partner Program”, “The Sandbox Summit”, “CES Mobile Entertainment Partner Program”, “Home and Lifestyle Entertainment Knowledge Track” and “Blu-ray Disc TechZone”. The importance of CES to the games industry has varied over the years, with the show often being the venue for major console hardware announcements in the early ‘80s and ‘90s. Game specific trade shows such as E3 have largely superseded CES in this role today, although Microsoft in particular continue to use it for new announcements. Bill Gates will give his regular keynote address at the 2008 event, where the original Xbox was first unveiled in 2001. More recent keynotes have included the debut of the Xbox 360’s HD-DVD drive in 2006 and talk of IPTV plans this year. “Attendees at the 2008 International CES will be among the first to experience the latest products and trends changing the shape of the gaming market," said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of events and conferences at CEA (Consumer Electronics Association). "With the CES Gaming Showcase, featuring top gaming companies from around the world in a central, easy to visit location, conference sessions and other special gaming events, the 2008 International CES is the global hub for the latest trends emerging on the gaming market," she added. The 2008 International CES is due to take place on January 7th to 10th in Las Vegas. Further information can be found at the official website.