Osaka Middleware Forum

Today was the Osaka Game Tools and Middleware Forum 2008, and it was quite a success. The Forum organizers had predicted that 100 to 150 would be in attendance; my guess is that there were at least 200 people here today, and most if not all of them stopped by our booth. If these events had done nothing but get us more name/brand recognition in Japan, then they would have been worth the efforts. However, they've achieved more than that. Some further follow-up will be required, but I believe a number of new evals that will come out of these events.

Not only have we had a booth at these events; we've also given technical sessions, led by Val. Takumi has done introductory Gamebryo remarks (pictured at right, from today's Forum), and then Val has jumped in with our Terrain and Scene Designer demos (the integration of the two). The demos have been quite popular, or so our post-session questionnaires have indicated. In exchange for a business card and a completed questionnaire, we have handed out Gamebryo-branded chop sticks (is that a cool trade show giveaway, or what?!). At the Osaka Forum today, David Brame counted 75 attendees. 75 more people in Japan who know about a lot about Gamebryo, and how we're gonna kick some serious butt in this market!!!

Herein, I'd like to formally thank our Japan team for the great work they've done in putting together these events here this month (five events - one more next week!). It makes all the difference in the world when pre-customers can walk up, address you in their local language, and know that there will be pre- and post-sales support in the local language. Pictured below are some customers at our booth experiencing exactly what I'm talking about. Kamata-san is a cool geek whom the engineers really relate to. Shimizu-san is a polished sales professional; I've witnessed him in many a pitch now, and even this old codger has learned a thing or two from him! Shinozaki-san from Aeria has also been a great help during these events! Go Team Japan!!!

Finally, thanks to Val for offering some tremendous technical assets to our events in Korea and Japan these past 2+ weeks. Safe travels back to France tomorrow, while DB and I head off to Shanghai.

A pre-customer engaging with our Japan team members at the Osaka Game Tools & Middleware 2008 Forum today.