PC Gaming Alliance: Capcom & The Guildhall at SMU

Two leading organizations significantly broadens participation by the publisher and educational stakeholder communities

SAN RAMON, Calif. – February 3, 2008 – The PC Gaming Alliance (PCGA), a nonprofit corporation dedicated to driving the worldwide growth of PC gaming, today announced the addition of representatives from Capcom and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University (SMU) to their Board of Directors. Capcom is a leading international developer and publisher of video games headquartered in Osaka, Japan recognized around the globe for franchises like Street Fighter®, Resident Evil® and Bionic Commando®. The Guildhall at SMU is the premier graduate video game education program in the U.S.

The addition of these two leading organizations significantly broadens participation in the PCGA by the publisher and educational stakeholder communities and will provide the PCGA with much greater insight into their PC gaming issues and requirements.

“Capcom believes strongly in the value and strength of the PC gaming market as a global platform for our entertainment brands,” said Christian Svensson, vice president, business development and strategic planning. “Our participation in the PCGA’s activities over the past year has greatly improved our understanding of the market, provided us great business opportunities and allowed us to participate in improving the field of PC gaming. We’re pleased to have a representative on the board in order to directly help shape the future of the PC gaming environment.”

“In order to fulfill our mission of providing the future professionals and leaders of the video game industry, we need to be engaged in all aspects of the value chain,” said Dr. Peter Raad, PCGA board member and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU. “We believe the work of the PCGA is vitally needed to ensure that the PC remains a viable platform of choice for gamers worldwide.”

Just last month, the PCGA unveiled a new membership structure fine-tuned to encourage broad industry participation. Member companies now enjoy access to a wealth of insight into PC Gaming, including the annual Horizons report, an in-depth financial analysis of the PC gaming industry worldwide. Promoter members can track progress and influence the work of the PCGA to develop a set of minimum hardware and software guidelines to improve consumer experiences, combat piracy, publish primary research, and advance the PC gaming ecosystem as a whole. While Contributor members collectively act as an advisory council to the alliance leadership.

“Since the PCGA was formed, the organization and its member companies have spread the word that PC gaming is a thriving $54 billion a year industry,” said PCGA president Randy Stude. “With the recent addition of Sony DADC and Howie’s Game Shack to our membership roll, we are already seeing proof that our new structure will provide the right mix of benefits for a greater number of industry players, while also better serving our current members and the overall PC gaming community.”

To find more information on joining the PCGA and its role as the voice of the PC gaming industry, visit www.pcgamingalliance.org.

About the PCGA
The PC Gaming Alliance (PCGA) is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to drive worldwide growth of PC gaming. The PCGA provides an open forum where companies can cooperate to develop and promote solutions that drive the PC gaming industry forward. The PCGA encourages the exchange of information and views to promote PC gaming, and shares promotional activity designed to grow the PC gaming industry.

About Capcom
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including best-selling franchises Resident Evil®, Street Fighter®, Mega Man® and Devil May Cry®. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Korea, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom can be found on the company web site, www.capcom.com.

About The Guildhall at SMU
The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University is the premier graduate video game education program in the US. Many of the school’s founders are industry icons, and classes are taught by industry veterans. In five years, the program has graduated over 250 students and alums have worked at more than 80 video game studios around the world, with several graduates now serving in leadership positions. SMU offers both a Master’s degree and a graduate Professional Certificate of Interactive Technology in Digital Game Development, with specializations in art creation, level design, and software development. For more information, visit www.guildhall.smu.edu