Asia Pacific Game Directory (APGD) launched today at GCA 2009

    SINGAPORE:The first ever Asia-Pacific Games Directory (APGD) was launched at Games Convention Asia (GCA) at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre today. Designed and conceptualized by the Games Exchange Alliance (GXA), the directory is the first ever to offer the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the various gaming companies in Asia Pacific.

    Speaking to Animation Xpress Asia Pacific about the directory, Aroon Tan, President, Games Exchange Alliance shared, “The main objective was to produce an industry driven directory of regional games companies. We don't have a body like the European Union where a unifying body can initiate a regional programme. We have to act as independent states, but with a common interest to consolidate the market. The APGD is the first small step in creating a regional platform for networking and promoting the industry. We plan to make this an annual edition, and to expand on the numbers of countries, associations and companies reflected within the directory. With the support of platforms like the GCA, we hope to make this a regular publication relevant to the games industry.”

    This directory is divided up in to 5 parts, namely - Messages from the Singapore government, Address by the regional games association Presidents, Listing of games association executives, Games association members, and Industry facts and figures. It features 9 countries with 149 listings. The markets covered include: Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

    On the reasons of launching the directory at the GCA, Aroon says, “As with any media publication, you search for the premier platform and the right timing for a launch. GCA proved to be just that platform and the timing was right with another gathering of the regional and international games industry. GCA is not just a conference, business to business centre, and a public showcase, it is also a celebration for the games industry of the success and sometime failures of the industry. Ultimately it is where industry professional meet, knowledge and experience exchanged, and the public gets to interact with the latest interactive entertainment products coming to market.”

    The idea of launching a directory for the Gaming industry came in the middle of 2008. He further explained, "One of the key factors was that we were travelling all over the world to conferences and on trade missions, and realised that companies were asking us (the GXA) about the region - not just the Singapore market. Seeing as Singapore is a natural trading hub, we decided to publish the Asia Pacific Games Directory (APGD). Another reason for doing this was linked back to our Summit of Asian Games Associations (SAGA) back in 2007 during the inaugural Games Convention Asia. The first SAGA took place with the meeting of 10 Asia Pacific Games Association and the signing of an MOU. This inspired us to look at how we could leverage this relationship and network the APAC games industry through a single source. The APGD was certainly the right vehicle to achieve this goal.”