Cologne, March 13th; There was official signing ceremony for WCG 2008 Host City between the City of Cologne and the World Cyber Games Committee (WCGC). WCG is the world’s largest computer and video game festival. Two representatives, Mr. Fritz Schramma, the mayor of City of Cologne and Mr. Hyung-Seok Kim, CEO of International Cyber Marketing, global organizer of WCG showed their expectation for WCG 2008 and swore close cooperation between Cologne and WCG at this signing ceremony held at the Old Town Hall, Cologne.

Mr. Fritz Schramma, mayor of the city of Cologne said “Firstly I want to appreciate WCGC that chose Cologne as the 2008 host city of WCG. As WCG is the world largest eSports event our city administration has made an eager effort to be chosen as the host city of WCG. We are excited to have the opportunity to host the Grand Final with participants from all around the world.”

With announcing that Cologne has been selected as the host city of WCG 2008, WCGC said that Cologne got the highest score among other candidate cities. Mr. Hyung-Seok, Kim showed his appreciation for the passion and the support of the city of Cologne through the host city signing ceremony speech.

A number of big events have been held in Cologne such as World Youth day 2005, FIFA World Cup 2006 and Handball World Cup 2007. Following these events, Cologne city government intends to continue to make the city young by hosting youth-oriented festivals like WCG. Also they expect to extend the position as the No.1 media city in Germany through the WCG.

The WCGC has strict rules for deciding host city such as location, facilities, infrastructure and promotional efforts. This time, there were 6 competitive candidate cities; Beijing and Shanghai (China), Busan and Daegu (Korea), Stockholm (Sweden) and Cancun (Mexico).
The bidding was highly competitive among those candidates that showed their desire and capacity to host the event, though Cologne received the highest score in city government support, accessibility of grand final venue and high potential of networks of broadcasters, gamers, information and mobile telecommunication. Cologne will offer the “Cologne Messe”, as the venue of WCG 2008 Grand Final, which is famous for holding large-scaled events and conventions.

Last year, WCG 2006 was held at Monza, Italy with 700 players from 70 countries and over 25.000 spectators. WCG got spotlighted from Europe countries for being held on the European continent for the first time and for the first try of satellite live broadcast for game competition. About 20million people worldwide followed the WCG through the satellite live broadcast and it was evaluated as the meaningful momentum of e Sports and game competition culture.

“We know the efforts by Mayor Mr. Schramma and the city of Cologne to bring this event back to the European Continent next year. WCG 2008 is expected to be more successful because it’s the second event in Europe.” Both, Cologne and WCG, are expecting that the location of Cologne as the strategic center of media and the potential of WCG’s exclusive broadcasting contents of game competition will make the synergy effect.

Started as the World Cyber Challenge in 2000, the WCG was first officially held in 2001 and continues today under the slogan, “Beyond the Game.” It has grown in to the world’s largest computer and video games festival. Ultimately WCG pursues to be total digital entertainment festival not only for gamers but also for general public in the world.

Organizers expect up to 700 of the world’s best gamers will travel to Seattle, US, in October, 2007, to participate in the Grand Final of the most prestigious e-Sports competition and enjoy a well-rounded festival designed to promote culture and social harmony among world gamers.