Berlin, 1st July 2008, Peter C. Krell and Dr. Johannes Ulbricht announced that on the 10th of July 2008 leading European online game publishers will gather for a first meeting at the Ludwig-Erhard Haus in Berlin to discuss issues that are going to be of interest for the sustainable development of the European market for online games and virtual worlds. Online game affine companies from other converging industries like telecommunication companies, payment solution providers, middleware suppliers will also attend the event which is going to be a preparatory meeting for the foundation of PEOGA, the Pan European Online Game Association.

During the event strategic goals will be defined and a roadmap will be presented. Political topics are also going to be addressed. The main focus though will be to discuss the development of European online game quality standards and to establish a "PEOGA approved“ quality label for secure high quality services in the online game industry.

The initiators are convinced that PEOGA will lead towards for more transparency in the online game industry and thus catalyse a sustainable market development process. Additionally Peter C. Krell foresees PEOGA´s strategic significance in cooperating with other similar international organisations in other territories, especially Asia.

Peter C. Krell: "Even though our first meeting is going to be held in Germany PEOGA right from the start will be a true Pan-European association with a Pan-European managing team. We are convinced that this association of European online game publishers, PEOGA, will ultimately also lead towards new perspectives for game development in Europe. And in terms of cooperations, we are open to speak with other associations that think and act on an European level. We see us as an augmentation of already existing associations rather than competitors. Especially due to our Pan-European approach we think that we are closing an important gap."

Dr. Johannes Ulbricht: "Being specialized in the games industry for several years by now, I know the legal and tax issues. Most of them can only be addressed effectively on a Pan-European level as – for example – tax law is harmonized within the EU and the national legislator has little scope left for decision making. Our first task will be building up a network of legal and tax specialists throughout the European Union.”

The event is being held on the 10th of July 2008 in Berlin. Event attendance is limited to companies from the online game industry only.