The Game Initiative today announced the keynote speakers for the Austin Game Conference (AGC). This includes Rob Pardo, Blizzard Entertainment's Vice President of Game Design and lead designer for World of Warcraft, Michael Dell, Chairman of the Board for Dell Computers, and Vernor Vinge, Hugo Award Winning science-fiction Author. AGC will take place September 6-8, 2006 in Austin, Texas and will focus on the burgeoning worldwide online game market.

"We are extremely pleased to have so many visionaries and industry leaders join us at the fourth annual Austin Game Conference," said Game Initiative Executive Director Christopher Sherman. "With this year's theme of 'Brave New Worlds' the Austin Game Conference hosts industry influencers, including game developers, technologists and business professionals from around the world. Austin is one of the top 5 cities in the United States for video game development with more than 60 video game development companies in the local area."