MECIT & OER back eGames 2006

"We're delighted to welcome MECIT as partners - they're a forward thinking college which runs some excellent programs in the creative industries sector - gaming being one of them. We expect to attract a large number of undergraduates to the free, full-day pre-conference gaming workshop which will be held on Knowledge Oasis Muscat," said Ibtisam Al Faruji, Head of Marketing, KOM. The workshop will be delivered by Chris Hinton, Michael Powell and Steve Abrahart from De Montfort University's Faculty of Art & Design a leading centre for gaming in the UK - sessions will cover animation, storyboarding, narrative and drawing.

"By holding the pre-Conference Workshop we're creating an unique venue for young game developers to better understand their craft, market challenges and business opportunities," said Al Faruji. She added: "Working together with well respected gaming industry leaders the Workshop is part of KOM's objective to help promote the uptake and growth of Oman's domestic gaming industry."

On the conference, organiser Mohammed Al Maskari, Director General, KOM said: "We feel that eGames is well timed, happening at this rapidly moving point in the gaming industry as new gaming consoles and gaming enabled mobile phones hit the Omani consumer market and when, in the sultanate, many experts believe video and mobile gaming to be worth more than cinema, video and CD sales." Maskari added: "What I personally find really exciting is this conference places us right at the centre of the global gaming market and it's happening here in Muscat. This is wonderful, don't you think?"

In addition to MECIT's support, eGames 2006 has received the backing of Oman Economic Review which will act as the event's strategic media partner. Commenting on their involvement, Sandeep Sehgal, General Manager, United Media Services SAOC said: "As a leading and highly respected regional business magazine, our association with eGames 2006 is fuelled by our interest in mobile entertainment and eGames offers us an excellent opportunity to pursue this interest."