As part of our continuing effort to provide our readers with the most up-to-date information about the worldwide MMO scene, we are beginning our coverage of this week's G-Star 2012 convention in Korea. We've partnered with the G-STAR 2012 Secretariat to bring you all an exclusive look at what's happening at Korea's premier gaming convention. Read on to find out what will be happening!
G-Star 2012 touching the world with game, to have the grand opening this November 8th
The final touches are being put to the preparation work of 'G-STAR 2012', an international game exhibition to be held on November 8th(Thursday), 2012 at BEXCO, Busan, before the opening ceremony of the biggest-ever event. 'G-STAR 2012' is co-hosted by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Busan Metropolitan City, and co-organized by Korea Association of Game Industry(Chairman Martin Kwanho Choi, KAOGI) and Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency(President Seo Tae-geon, BIPA).
'G-STAR 2012' will be the biggest one in the event history attracting 434 companies from 31 countries around the world, growing more than 15% compared to last year in terms of participation. The co-organizers, KAOGI and BIPA, are showing their strong willingness to transform G-STAR into one of the world's top three game shows by designating 2012 as the first year of G-STAR 3.0, as 2012 is the first year when the event is transferred to the private sector.
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In particular, this year's event will be the largest one ever since the opening of Exhibition Hall 2 of BEXCO, Busan, covering more than 43,000 square feet of area in the size of the exhibition site alone. Moreover, the event will occupy over 49,000?of area including outdoor exhibition area and additional facilities, which is 40% larger than last year. Chairman Martin Kwanho Choi of KAOGI declared his willingness, saying that "Now G-STAR has conditions to be a global exhibition in terms of the scale and outcome. We will hold the biggest event with the biggest achievement by exclusively using Exhibition Hall 1 as B2C Hall and Exhibition Hall 2 as B2B Hall".
G-STAR 2012 is expected to be the largest-ever event when it comes to the participating countries or companies with 434 firms from 31 countries around the world. The event is prospected to be a global game festival joined by the world's leading game companies.
Meanwhile, G-STAR 2012, which will be held under the theme of 'Game, Touching the World', will present new games of various platforms such as arcade, mobile and console games as well as online ones. In particular, Nintendo's first participation reflects the growing status of G-STAR, and mobile games utilizing smart devices will more than double in the exhibition compared to last year, which is expected to show the changes in the trend of the game industry.
G-STAR 2012 for participants
Meantime, a total of six information desks will be installed at B2C and B2B exhibition halls as Exhibition Hall 2 is opened, and interpreting staff will be placed in the right position to help foreign visitors to tour the exhibition halls without difficulty. Moreover, in addition to guidebooks for various events, 'G-STAR Map' containing information on city tour and things to enjoy in Busan as well as the event venue will be distributed to encourage visitors and participants to join in exhibition and demonstration.
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Chairman Martin Kwanho Choi said that "We have prepared for this G-STAR 2012 by considering the convenience of participating companies and visitors, things to enjoy, and cultural events for families. We are planning to make G-STAR 2012 a comprehensive exhibition which combines entertainment and business embracing game industry and culture such as e-sports, game cultural festival, and game industry seminar.
