First held in 2002, the Leipzig Games Convention allows both the public and the press to experience upcoming titles from a variety of publishers, and is often used to stage product announcements. This year's event saw over 203,000 attendees--a new record.

"The concept is flexible and the network of the global games industry permits us to be active at different locations," Leipziger Messe CEO Wolfgang Marzin said in a press release. "After the Southeast Asian Games Convention, we are now focusing on the North American market."

Other major gaming events located in North America include the E3 Media & Business Summit, Game Developers Conference, E for All, and PAX, though only the latter two are open to the general public.

However, the North American convention circuit has been mired by criticism and participation woes, which were recently exasperated by Ziff Davis's cancellation of its Digital Life Conference and lacking publisher interest in E for All.