Game Connection gets Lyon’s share of studios

Kicking off on December 5th and lasting for two days, Game Connection Lyon is pitched as a key meeting place for developers, publishers and services companies.

The show, which debuted in 2001, has built a strong reputation for itself thanks to its ‘matchmaking’ and meeting planner services designed to get companies talking – and doing deals. In September, organiser Connection Events introduced an event running alongside the Tokyo Game Show – the first of a number of efforts designed to reach out to developers in the East.

"If historically Game Connection answered the needs of local developers, today it has extended its operations worldwide and gathers companies from more than 32 countries for each event. Since Asia was the last unoccupied ground, we extended Game Connection there, too," explained Pierre Carde, director of Game Connection and Connection Events.

But all eyes have now turned to the big Lyon effort, which promises to have at least 140 exhibitors from across the sector, and attendance from 300 firms in total.

Added Carde: "We have developed a very specific concept based on the successful online meeting planner which facilitates matchmaking among developers, publishers, and service providers. Game Connection is a unique event in the video game industry."