DALLAS, TX--(Marketwire - September 29, 2010) - International research firm Parks Associates announced today it will moderate a special session at the Game Developers Conference Online (GDC), held October 5-8 in Austin, Texas. The session, "How economic context affects game development from start-up to grown-up companies," will be held Thursday, October 7th, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., and is sponsored by Canada at GDC, The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and represented by the Canadian Consulate General Dallas.
The electronic entertainment industry is going through massive transformations: financial constraints, declining software sales, increasing success of the used games segment, growing percentages of digital sales, etc. This panel, moderated by Parks Associates' gaming analyst Pietro Macchiarella, will investigate the importance of international economic contexts in supporting the interactive entertainment industry and new strategies for developers, including retail and digital distribution.
Recent research from Parks Associates finds 42% of U.S. broadband head-of-household respondents play online games for at least one hour/week. "Broadband connectivity has changed the gaming industry. Although retail sales account for the majority of gaming industry output, different online gaming phenomena and digital distribution services are becoming increasingly important and will soon become the largest revenue contributor to the electronic entertainment industry," said Pietro Macchiarella, Research Analyst, Parks Associates.
The panel offers perspectives from executives developing games in Canada and the USA. Participants include:
| Frédérick Brassard, President, 3Pod | ||
| Nils Holger Henning, Chief Communications Officer, Bigpoint | ||
| Dean Morrison, Advisor, Entertainment & Media Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP-Toronto | ||
| Brian Wong, Founder, Kiip | ||
| Moderator: Pietro Macchiarella, Research Analyst, Parks Associates |
GDC Online is the community meeting point for developers and business professionals looking to distill best practices, exchange ideas, and take full advantage of the opportunities of connected gaming. GDC Online offers an in-depth review of diverse online game genres, development platforms, and industry trends. For information about this session or to reserve your seat, visit http://www.parksassociates.com/events/industry_events/gdc_2010.htm.
About the Canadian Consulate General Dallas
Canada has a global network of investment and trade professionals present in more than 150 cities worldwide. This network of trade commissioners offers pathfinding for key contacts engaged in supporting strategic alliances and direct investment in Canada; referrals to support professionals, and private-sector industry associations; facilitation of site visits; information on Canada's advantageous R&D tax credit system; and guidance on financial and non-financial incentives specific to the interactive and electronic entertainment industry.
About Parks Associates
Parks Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups through market reports, primary studies, consumer research, custom research, workshops, executive conferences, and annual service subscriptions.
The company's expertise includes new media, digital entertainment and gaming, home networks, Internet and television services, digital health, mobile applications and services, consumer electronics, energy management, and home control systems and security.
http://www.parksassociates.com
Contact Information:
Mindi Sternblitz-Rubenstein
Parks Associates
972-490-1113
mindi.sue@parksassociates.com