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The inaugural Gamescom event attracted 245,000 visitors, making it “the largest game trade fair in the world,” according to the German Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU).

Held across 120,000 square metres at the Koelnmesse site in Cologne, Germany from August 19-23, the show featured 458 exhibitors from 31 countries.

"We are very proud of the premiere of Gamescom,” said Olaf Wolters, managing director of the BIU. “It fulfilled all our objectives right away and is the largest game trade fair in the world. Computer and videogames are so attractive that our industry is breaking all records despite the economic crisis."

The first GDC Europe event, held in conjunction with Gamescom, also attracted 1,500 industry professionals and aspiring game developers. It featured 130 speakers and over 40 exhibitors.

“With GDC Europe concluded, we’re happy to look back at a truly successful event that will help guide the European game industry even further into the spotlight,” said Frank Sliwka, VP of European business development at organiser Think Services Game Group. “From Sweden to Germany, France to England, amazing developers from every corner of the continent and throughout North America and Asia came together to make this conference truly pan-European as well as global.”

Gamescom and GDC Europe organisers also confirmed that both events will return to Cologne next year during the week beginning August 16.