Nintendo, along with others such as Sony, has announced that they plan to attend the Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival 2005.

Nintendo has announced that they willbe attending the Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival 2005. The event showcases the changes and evolutions within the industry. More information can be found in the press release below.

LONDON, Thursday 24th March 2005: The industry's biggest players, a new venue and a brand new look have all been revealed for the launch of the Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival 2005.

Formerly known as the Edinburgh International Games Festival, the event has already gained the support of Sony and Nintendo and will be taking place under one roof at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) from 10th � 14th August 2005. Further major industry partners will be announced over the coming weeks.

This year's event will be attended by the industry's most influential thought leaders and has been developed to showcase the evolution, convergence and impact of interactive entertainment on popular culture and to encourage debate on the future vision of the industry.

Following the success of last year's format, Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival again features the following industry and consumer focused attractions:

'Edinburgh Interactive' (11th and 12th August)

The industry focussed conference element of Edinburgh. This year's event will see delegates and speakers from the TV, film, music and telecoms industries come together to discuss and debate the shape of tomorrow's interactive entertainment industry. Confirmed names for 2005 include SCE (UK)'s Alan Duncan, Dave Clarke from Bravo and Adam Singer Group ceo of MCPS/PRS alliance.

'Go Play Games' (10th-14th August)

Edinburgh's consumer event. This year's consumer area is spread over 1185 sq metres and promises to deliver an experience that Entertains, Inspires and Informs. Last year's event situated at the city's Royal Museum was one of the venue's most successful attractions of the year. 2005's Go Play Games is set to build on that success with an all new challenge stage and opportunities to get interactive with the latest and greatest in new games and technology located at the EICC right in the heart of Edinburgh.

'Game Screenings' (11th-14th August)

The innovative Game Screenings are back following last years highly successful 'premieres' of Electronic Arts' The SimsTM2, Sports Interactive's Football Manager 2005 and Giant's LEGO� Star WarsTM. Designed to provide an exclusive preview of forthcoming releases the screenings remain a highly popular ingredient of the Festival, featuring various fascinating presentations such as 'Made in Scotland', a platform for the local industry, 'Culture' � a series of screenings examining cultural developments in the industry and 'Insider's Guides' that are designed to demystify the industry.

Commenting on this year's event, Chair Greg Ingham said "Edinburgh is a unique event. It's the only international forum that celebrates the cultural impact of the games industry. It's vital for this industry's overall development to recognise our diversity, challenge preconceptions and debate the future of the interactive entertainment industry.

Edinburgh is not an E3 or an EGN. Nor is it a trade show or sales focussed talking shop. It is an opportunity for the industry to present innovative new developments, challenge preconceptions and look further than next year's slate. And it's the only place where representatives from the TV, film, games and interactive industries can come together and learn from each other and network. Our new name reflects the cross over appeal of the event and the fact that our industry is about much more than games".

Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian Chief Executive Jim MacFarlane, said "We are delighted to welcome the Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival back to our city for a third year. Scotland is a hotbed of talent for the interactive entertainment industry and as such it is fitting that a festival of this international significance comes to Edinburgh".