So, why should you be excited about Leipzig?

Aug 20, 2007

GamesRadar is heading out to Germany this week for the Leipzig Games Convention - which takes place from August 22-26 - and while the event has always existed in the shadow of E3 and Tokyo Game Show, the downsizing of the once lavish American expo has resulted in the European-based event becoming an altogether more significant date in the gaming calendar. And, now that our collective diary is satisfyingly swollen with appointments, we can't wait to spoil ourselves rotten in what is shaping up to be a Germanic wonderland of pure gaming indulgence.

But it's not just lucky attendees that should be excited - the event promises to provide a feast for internet spectators in the shape of new games and first-time looks at some of the hottest games currently in the development pipeline. Here, then, are a stack of reasons why all gamers should be hot for Leipzig based on the software treats that we knoware going to be making an appearance.

Games we haven't seen yet
Yep, there are going to be plenty of potential triple-A titles making their debut appearance both on the show floor and behind closed doors, as well as other games that have so far only tiptoed cautiously around the media spotlight. Here's what we're particularly pumped about seeing:

•Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Dark Messiah of Might & Magic: Elements
•Devil May Cry 4(360 version making its debut)
•Far Cry 2
•FIFA 08
•Midnight Club LA
•Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
•Prototype
•Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis(Wii version making its debut)
•Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
•The Bourne Conspiracy
•Tom Clancy's End War
• Top Spin 3
•World in Conflict(360 version making its debut)
•World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Big games to get better acquainted with
There are, of course, going to be plenty of games that we're already familiar with at Leipzig that will be showing off previously unseen flesh, so you can expect new info and impressions on all of the titles below. These are the games that we can't wait to get extra cosy with:

•Alone in the Dark
•Crysis
•Fallout 3
•Ghost Squad
•Halo Wars
•Halo 3
•Haze
•Home
•Kane & Lynch
•Killzone 2
•LittleBigPlanet
•Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
•Project Gotham Racing 4
•Skate
•StarCraft II
•Turok
•Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
•WipeOut HD

New games and stuff that we don't know about yet
We already know that Sony is making a "big PS3 announcement" at Leipzig, because SCEE presidentDavid Reeves said so at E3last month. The little tease. In addition to whatever Sony is planning to spring on us, we've also learned that several publishers are planning to announce new games at the show. Whether these are going to send seismic shocks or just tiny tremors through the gaming world we don't know, but new games are always guaranteed to create a stir, so expect plenty lively forum activity.

AND it's sure to be the perfect antidote to E3's Barker Hangar
After the feeling of deflation prompted by our visit toE3's underwhelming Barker Hangar, the Leipzig Games Convention should give our senses a jolting jump-start, with the expected 200,000+ visitors to the show sure to be vigorously assaulted by dangerously challenging lumen and decibel levels. And, of course, we're anticipating that GamesRadar's lady-focused camera will be on the move as well. Lovely.

So, if you're not heading to Leipzig yourself but don't want to miss out on the action, simply keep your eyes glued to GamesRadar. It'llalmost be as good as actually being there. Probably.