2006 Game Developers Conference to Host Video Games Live Concert as Closing Night Performance

2006 Game Developers Conference to Host Video Games Live Concert as Closing Night Performance

Live Music Event to Feature Symphony Silicon Valley Performing Popular Video Game Scores

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is proud to present Video Games Live(TM) as its closing night performance. Video Games Live(TM) is an immersive concert featuring music from the biggest video games of all time. At the GDC production, the renowned Symphony Silicon Valley and its full chorus will be accompanied by exclusive video footage and music arrangements, lasers, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and creative interactive segments to build an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. The concert will take place at the San Jose Civic Auditorium on Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are now available through Ticketmaster.com.

Video Games Live will be the first time video game music has been performed in San Jose, the "birthplace of video games." Music from some of the top game franchises will be performed, including Mario(TM), Zelda(R), Halo(R), Metal Gear Solid(R), Warcraft(R), Myst(R), Castlevania(R), Medal of Honor(TM), Sonic(TM), Kingdom Hearts, Tron, Final Fantasy(R), Advent Rising, Beyond Good & Evil(TM), God of War(TM) and a special retro Classic Arcade Medley featuring over 20+ games from Pong(R) to Donkey Kong(R) including such classics as Dragon's Lair, Tetris, Frogger, Gauntlet, Space Invaders & Outrun.

"Video Games Live is a milestone in the evolution of games as an art form in world culture," said GDC director Jamil Moledina. "Featuring VGL at GDC fits in perfectly with our goals of provoking innovation among game creators, and producing ideas that have dramatic reach into the greater entertainment audience."

"Partnering with the GDC to present Video Games Live is an honor; not only will fans of video games be amazed at what we have in store for them, but presenting this performance in front of the entire industry will also prove to be very special," Tommy Tallarico, co-creator of Video Games Live and a leading game music composer, said. "Video games have become one of the most thrilling and electrifying forms of entertainment in the 21st century. Video Games Live will capture that same excitement level to help create the ultimate celebration of video games for everyone to enjoy."

Video Games Live(TM) is a complete celebration of the video game industry which includes pre- and post-show festival activities including a costume contest and meet-and-greet with designers and composers. Tickets for the March 24 event are priced from $20 to $55, and are now available at Ticketmaster.com. You can also order tickets over the phone by calling 408-998-TIXS and 415-421-TIXS.

The GDC will take place March 20-24 at the San Jose Convention Center. To secure early rate pricing, be sure to register by February 15. Learn more at www.gdconf.com.

About the CMP Game Group (www.cmpgame.com)

A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the CMP Game Group offers market-defining content, and drives community through the Game Developers Conference, GDC Europe, the Serious Games Summit D.C., GDC Mobile, GDC Asia, Game Developer magazine, Gamasutra.com, the Independent Games Festival, the Game Developers Choice Awards, and GDCTV. For more information, please visit www.cmpgame.com.

About CMP Media (www.cmp.com)

Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands in the technology, healthcare and lifestyles industries, CMP Media has earned the confidence of more professionals and enthusiasts in these fields than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in each of these industries in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP Media is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion.

About Video Games Live(TM) (www.videogameslive.com)

Created by two industry leading video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, Video Games Live(TM) (produced under their company Mystical Stone Entertainment, LLC) is the front runner in the field of live game music performance. Video Games Live(TM) is an immersive concert event celebration featuring music from the biggest video games of all time. The debut performance launched on July 6th, 2005 at the world famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with the LA Philharmonic with over 11,000 people in attendence making it the largest video game concert the world had ever experienced. Most of the game music played (Halo, Sonic, Metal Gear Solid, Mario, Zelda, Warcraft, Tomb Raider, Kingdom Hearts, Tron, Medal of Honor, Advent Rising, etc.) had never been performed live.

About Live Nation (www.livenation.com)

Live Nation is the leading live content and distribution company focused on creating superior experiences for artists, performers, athletes and fans. Live Nation also provides services and representation to talent in the entertainment and sports industries and provides customized marketing, sponsorship and branded entertainment opportunities to major consumer and business brands globally. Live Nation owns, operates or has booking rights for 150 venues worldwide including 107 domestic and 43 international venue sites. Live Nation operates throughout North America, Europe, and Australia and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." More information about Live Nation and its businesses is available at www.LiveNation.com.

Source: CMP Game Group

CONTACT: Sibel Sunar, ext. 271, sibel@bohle.com, or Grace Kim, ext. 204,
grace@bohle.com, both of The Bohle Company, +1-310-785-0515, for CMP Game
Group; or Tara Gibb of CMP Game Group, +1-415-947-6219, tgibb@cmp.com

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

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

Web site: http://www.cmpgame.com/
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http://www.videogameslive.com/

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