BERLIN and SAN FRANCISCO, March 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Premier Developer Event to Unite the European Community for Three-Days of Learning and Networking

Think Services, a Division of United Business Media, announced today an open call for speaker submissions for its 2009 Game Developers Conference Europe (GDC Europe), taking place August 17-19, 2009 at the Cologne Congress East Center in Cologne, Germany. The pan-European conference - dedicated to the art, science and business of creating games - is soliciting session proposals now through April 30th via the official GDC Europe website at www.GDCEurope.com

GDC Europe will be the most important and influential industry gathering in Europe this year, attracting attendees from all corners of the globe. The event will take place for the first time in Cologne, Germany, and run adjacent to gamescom-the leading videogame event targeted for consumers.

Lecture, panel, and roundtable proposals are solicited from the international developer community for the following tracks: Business and Management, Game Design, Production, and Programming. In addition, the conference will cover development of Mobile and Serious Games. For further information on the submission process, please visit www.GDCEurope.com.

GDC's world-class reputation is built on the strength of its content and access to its top speakers, said Frank Sliwka, Vice President of European Business Development and Event Director, GDC Europe. With the guidance and expertise of the advisory board, the GDC Europe will continue to build on that reputation and focus on solving the main issues affecting the European community developing for console, online, PC, and mobile markets in hopes of bridging this fragmented market.

GDC Europe is produced by the Think Services Game Group Germany GmbH (TSGGG). This newly founded division of Think Services led by Sliwka is headquartered in Berlin, Germany with extended operations in the US. Core projects of the new division include the Game Developers Conference Europe and the International eSports Conference. TSGGG will bring Think Services' world class experience in developing and engaging communities throughout Europe engendering further reach into key markets and business worldwide.

About the Think Services Game Group

A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the Think Services Game Group offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, GameCareerGuide.com, WorldsInMotion.biz, GameSetWatch.com, GamesOnDeck.com, SeriousGamesSource.com, the Game Developers Conference(R), the Game Developers Conference(R) Austin, the Game Developers Conference(R) Europe, the Game Developers Conference(R) China, GDC Mobile, the Game Career Seminars, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. To learn more, visit www.tsgamegroup.com.

About Think Services, a division of United Business Media

Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using educational events, consulting, training, certification, membership, and innovative media. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity with its products and services. The division's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer Management Institute (ICMI), and HDI. Think Services is a subsidiary of United Business Media ( http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global media and marketing services company with a market capitalization of more than US$1.6 billion. To learn more, visit www.think-services.com.

BERLIN, Simon Wondracek, sw@fragster.de or Gerriet Ohls, Europe, go@fragster.de, +49-(0)-251-7481123; or U.S., Ben Veechai, Think Services Game Group, +1-415-947-6280, bveechai@think-services.com, or Sibel Sunar, fortyseven communications, +1-323-658-1200, sibel@fortyseven.com