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GameX Announces Steampunk Art Competition with Top Industry Judges

Philadelphia, PA--Thursday, August 20, 2009

-- GameX, the Games & Media Expo, today announced the launch of their debut artwork contest, the “GameX Steampunk Art Competition.” Presented in conjunction with the GameX, the game consumer show and industry conference supported by NBC Local Media Philadelphia, the “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” is a one-of-a-kind science fiction-fantasy art contest designed to support and promote both professional and student artists in the games, film and comic art communities.

An all-star line-up of industry judges in film, animation, games and comics include top artistic talent from companies such as Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Studios, 2K Boston, Ubisoft and Turbine. Winning entries will be on display in the Artist Market area at GameX, October 23-25 in Philadelphia.

Artists are invited to create an original steampunk-themed artwork and submit their art entry online by Saturday, October 10, 2009. Presented by Steam Gear Lab, the GameX Steampunk Art Competition will award one Grand Prize Winner, one 2D Winner, one Digital 3D Winner, and one Physical Construction/Sculpture Winner. The contest Grand Prize Winner and three finalists will receive a combined total $10,000-worth of art tools, software and technology from contest sponsors Alienware, Wacom, Pixologic ZBrush, 3D Coat, Digicel and Faber-Castell.

Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy fiction usually set in Victorian or Edwardian era England, with prominent elements of science fiction or fantasy. Steampunk is influenced by the style of 19th century scientific romances by authors such as Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle and Mary Shelley. Steampunk is often represented by alternate history-style presentations of technology, such as dirigibles or digital mechanical computers.

Notable examples of Steampunk in media include filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki's anime films such as Howl's Moving Castle and Laputa: Castle in the Sky, the comic book series League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the Disney animated film Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and a slew of video games, such as Final Fantasy VI, Space: 1889, Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends, Damnation and numerous other popular films, books and games.

Ahren "Professor" Gauthier of Steam Gear Lab, states “As part of the steampunk community in the U.S., we are determined to share and promote the knowledge, innovation and talent of deserving steampunk artists and enthusiasts. GameX is offering something special for steampunk fans and practitioners alike to enjoy and experience.”

Artists entering the “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” will have their original work seen by top industry judges, including Amy Bond, principal at Bondepus Graphic Design; Todd DeMelle, director of concept and production art, Turbine; Craig Elliott, visual development artist, Universal Pictures; Ahren "Professor" Gauthier, Sociologist of the Strange Prof. with Steam Gear Lab; Mike Haynes, manager of art for Red Storm Entertainment/Ubisoft; Dave Inscore, studio art director for Big Huge Games; James E. Lyle, freelance cartoonist and illustrator; Jason Manley, president of Massive Black, Joey "Dr. Grymm" Marsocci of Steam Gear Lab; Chris Merritt, art director with Universal Studios; Joe Pearson, art director and writer; Gabriele Pennacchioli, animator and character designer for DreamWorks Animation; Stephen Silver, character designer, Silvertoons; and Nate Wells, Art Director for 2K Boston.

Fiona Cherbak, vice president of business development for GameX, offers “We are pleased to welcome such an esteemed line-up of art professionals as judges for the ‘GameX Steampunk Art Competition.’ This content provides an opportunity for professional and amateur artists alike to show off their design skills and artistry in a truly unique and fantastical style that has become increasing popular in recent years. Steampunk as a genre has grown out of traditional literature into an entire universe of intense imagination, artistic and technical innovation and experiential culture.”

The “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” Grand Prize package features a special steampunk “mystery” item contributed by Steam Gear Lab, an Alienware 21.5 inch OptXHD monitor, and a Cintiq 12 WX Interactive Pen Display from Wacom. Alienware OptX is ideal for latest-generation games and high-def movies, delivering an intense and immersive entertainment experience. At just 4.4 pounds, the new Cintiq 12WX combines the advantages of a wide-format LCD monitor with Wacom's patented, professional pen technology to provide all the advantages of direct pen-on-screen input in a low profile, lightweight design.

Three “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” finalist winners will each win a Wacom Intuos 4 pressure-sensitive tablet, while all four “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” prize packages include a selection of software, including Digicel Flipbook Pro 6, Pixologic ZBrush 3.1 and 3D Coat, plus numerous prizes from Faber-Castell.

Twenty art entries will make it to the finals and be displayed on the GameX online contest page, while the four winning works will be on display at GameX, October 23-25. Deadline to enter is Saturday, October 10, 2009. Winners will be announced by Tuesday, October 20, 2009. Learn more about the “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” contest prizes and entry guidelines at:

www.gamexpo.us/expo/artcompetition

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About Steam Gear Lab
www.steamgearlab.com/

Steam Gear Lab is a full service prop shop based in Hartford, Connecticut. We produce concept designs, props, makeup effects and provide production design services for film, stage and television. We are also a fine purveyor of steampunk haberdashery, mad science accoutrements, science guns and wonders of all kinds. All of our wares are hand crafted by two mad geniuses with over25 years of model making, painting and fabrication experience between them.

About GameX
www.gamexpo.us/

GameX, the Games and Media Expo, is a national game consumer show and ‘pop culture’ festival produced by Virtual Rush Gaming in Philadelphia, designed to draw from local, regional and national audiences of game players, film and TV fans, comic book buffs and tech enthusiasts. GameX is supported by NBC Local Media with media and marketing, as well as participation from NBC Universal brand partners.

About NBC Local Media Philadelphia
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/

NBC Local Media Philadelphia is an owned and operated entity of NBC Universal in the 4th largest television market in the country, comprised of a Television Station (WCAU NBC10), an Internet site (nbcphiladelphia.com), two Digital Channels (Universal Sports and NBC Plus), a Production Company (StudioTEN Creative Group), and out of home opportunities (The University Network and Fuelcast). NBC Local Media Philadelphia broadcasts to over 2.8 million households and reaches over 1 million uniques per month on their digital platforms.

NBC Local Media is comprised of ten NBC owned-and-operated television stations reaching 27% of US TV households; the NBC Everywhere operation focusing on the growing Out of Home digital market; LX.TV, a content production company that produces lifestyle and cultural programming; and Skycastle Entertainment, an award-winning entertainment marketing and promotion company. Together, the NBC Local Media properties distribute NBC Universal content and produce local content for broadcast.