SUCCESSFUL FIRST GAMEHOTEL IN GERMAN-SPEAKING EUROPE

25/10/2006 - Held at a sold out club venue in the bustling economic hub of Zurich, GAMEHOTEL’s first edition in German-speaking Europe was a resounding success, complete with a world-class guest lineup and an enthusiastic audience.

GAMEHOTEL organizers announced that starting in 2007, the acclaimed international event series on interactive entertainment will add an annual Zurich edition to its Paris and US flagship shows.

Highlights of the electrifying GAMEHOTEL SHOW included debut public appearances of video game world stars in the German-speaking part of Europe.

Legendary British developer Peter Molyneux, in a cheerful mood and more charismatic than ever, shared his thoughts on the future of interactive entertainment, and confessed: "Every event on video games should be as much fun as GAMEHOTEL!"

Japanese super star Tetsuya Mizuguchi visibly enjoyed his triumphant return to the city whose Street Parade rave event in the mid-nineties turned out to be a central inspiration for his seminal game Rez. Giving sneak previews of his latest projects, he charmed the audience with a heartfelt "Thank you Zurich!"

There was more captivating live action as Alex Rigopulos, CEO of innovative game company Harmonix, presented an exclusive demo of his upcoming Guitar Hero 2 title, and as renowned Japanese musician and music-game guru, Masaya Matsuura, performed one of his rare live acts.

The great finale of the show featured a much-anticipated new edition of the popular GAMEHOTEL DEATHMATCH creativity contest. Easily defeating the other contestants, the ad-hoc dream team of Mizuguchi / Molyneux took home the trophy with their tongue-in-cheek vision of an “old school” controller for gamers 80 years and up.

"The success of this first GAMEHOTEL edition in German-speaking Europe showed the massive interest for an event that features the game industry's most creative minds and puts video games where they belong: right on top of the cultural, economic, and social agenda of the 21 century ", said GAMEHOTEL director, and head of organizing agency TNC Network, Bruno Beusch.

The GAMEHOTEL CONFERENCE, held in conjunction with the GAMEHOTEL SHOW, proved to be equally successful. Leading international specialists spotlighted the growing influence of video games in various creative industries, advertisement, media, education and the workplace.

"The GAMEHOTEL CONFERENCE turned out to be an immediate favorite with decision makers, opinion leaders and marketers, for whom it is vital to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in one of today’s most influential media", said GAMEHOTEL producer Tina Cassani.

The GAMEHOTEL organizers also announced plans for a spin-off of the GAMEHOTEL FUTURELAB Think Tank on the future of interactive entertainment. Set to be established in Zurich, it will be launched with partners from the industry and from the media in 2007. Check out a selection of pictures. (via GAMEHOTEL)