SAN FRANCISCO, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Think Services, a division of United Business Media and producers of the Game Developers Conferences(R), announced today the 1st annual Independent Games Festival China (IGF China), to be held in conjunction with the 2009 Game Developers Conference(R) China. GDC China returns to the Shanghai International Convention Center, October 11-13 of this year.

After 11 years of the main Independent Games Festival competition being held at GDC in San Francisco, the Independent Games Festival will present itself to Shanghai, China for the first time in 2009, in a competition specifically designed to encourage innovation and showcase standout games from smaller companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

The first-ever Independent Games Festival China encompasses three main components. Firstly, an Independent Games Summit event held on the opening day of GDC China will feature multiple sessions with smaller, entrepreneurial Chinese and Asian firms showcasing their work. Secondly, the IGF Pavilion will showcase all finalists' games on Sunday and Monday (October 11th and 12th) of GDC China, with the Independent Games Festival Awards ceremony being held on Monday evening.

The categories for IGF China include:

* Best Game , RMB20,000 prize ($2,900)

* Excellence In Art Direction, RMB5,000 prize ($730)

* Excellence In Audio, RMB5,000 prize

* Technical Excellence, RMB5,000 prize

* IGF Best Student Game, RMB5,000 prize, 1 Winner

* IGF Student Excellence Winner, RMB2,000 prize, 3 Winners ($290)

Key Dates for IGF China include:

June 22nd, 2009 - Submissions are Open

September 7th, 2009 - Submission Deadline

September 21st, 2009 - Finalists Announced

October 11th-13th, 2009 - Game Developers Conference((R)) China 2009

October 11th-12th, 2009 - IGF Pavilion, IGF Awards Ceremony and Independent Games Summit

"Introducing the IGF to China is something uniquely GDC," said GDC China event director Meggan Scavio. "We are excited to be a part of a movement that both corrals and celebrates independent game development to such a burgeoning group while at the same time actually making history in defining what is considered 'independent' game creation in Asia".

For more information on the submission guidelines for IGF China and the 2009 GDC China conference, please visit www.gdcchina.com.

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, a global media and marketing services company with a market capitalization of more than $1.6 billion. To learn more, visit www.think-services.com.

    Contact:  Audrey Shen
              Think Services, a division of United Business Media
              ashen@ubmtechnology.com.cn
              (86-21) 62787488-8701

              Ben Veechai, North America
              +1-415-947-6280
              bveechai@think-services.com

SOURCE Think Services Game Group

Web site: http://www.tsgamegroup.com/