Gamescom ‘wins’ as Leipzig cancels August event

The August Leipzig Games Convention has been cancelled.

The organisers of the event confirmed the news as it announced a brand new event, Games Convention Online, due to take place from July 31st to August 2nd.

Until this morning, the organisers were in a standoff with rival event Gamescom from Koelnmesse, which had moved to take place on August 19th to August 23rd – the same time as Games Convention’s proposed dates.

Last year, Gamescom organisers boldy told MCV that their event, which has backing on German trade association BIU, foresaw the ‘death’ of rival Leipzig.

Since then, Gamescom has scored a a number of coups against Leipzig, including a deal with GDC that will see GDC Europe take place during its show in Cologne.

"In view of the new situation in terms of competition on the German trade fair market, Leipziger Messe would be dropping the GC – Games Convention from the 2009 calendar," said a statement from Leipzig organisers Leipzigger Messe.

CEO Wolfgang Marzin added that Leipziger Messe was still willing to work with the games industry: "If the industry is again in search of a platform for console and PC games and hardware with the know-how of the GC – Games Convention, we will immediately be available."