Confirmed: Games Convention 2009 takes place in Cologne; Leipzig disappointed

Planning to make a trip down to Leipzig for the Games Convention? Then you might want to take note of recent events, as it’s just been confirmed that next year’s GC will in fact be taking place in Cologne. Featuring a bigger event site and more convenient accommodations, it seems that this event has gotten too big for Leipzig to handle. More details at the full article.

If you remember the little rumor we posted a while back – you know, how the next Leipzig Games Convention might be moving to Cologne? Well, it seems that the rumor has been confirmed by none other than German trade association Bundesverband Interacktive Unterhaltungssoftware and Cologne’s trade fair business Koelnmesse, via a joint press conference. And not only will the Games Convention be taking place in another place, but under a new name, as well.

So, what’s the Convention going to be called? GAMESCom, that’s what, and it takes place in Cologne starting September of 2009. Easier to get to and having a lot more to offer in terms of accommodation and travel access, fans will not only have a lot more fun in the event, they will also have a better time outside the event as well. Some figures – 284,000 square feet of exhibition space, and 80,000 hotel beds available in the immediate area. Not bad at all!

What does the original owner of the event, Messe Leipzig, has to say about the move, though? Well, they’re not certainly happy about it. The statement, verbatim: “Messe Leipzig regrets the BIUs decision to no longer support the Games Convention in Leipzig.”

Olaf Wolters, head of Bundesverband Interacktive Unterhaltungssoftware, was quick to explain that the decision was taken “for Cologne and not against Leipzig.” Still, it’s quite a blow for the original city, isn’t it?

In any case, updates as we get them, and if you’ve been planning to go next year, you might as well make note of the location change.