IDG World Expo today announced that the Macintosh Gaming Area at this year's Macworld Expo will be making its return to the popular show. Sponsored by Apple, the Gaming Area will be located on the Macworld exhibit floor and will highlight new games showcased by top game publishers such as Aspyr, MacSoft, and more.

Here's more from the official PR:

Now in its 20th year, Macworld Conference & Expo will take place January 5-9, 2004 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

In addition to exhibits by top game publishers, the Macintosh Gaming Area will feature an all-new Mac Gaming Arcade, sponsored by Apple and equipped with the newest Power Mac G5s and 17" iMacs. In the Arcade, Macworld attendees will be able to experience top AAA game titles first-hand. Featured games will include Halo, Unreal Tournament, Age of Mythology, Indiana Jones, Splinter Cell, Tron 2.0, Ghost Master, Republic and many more.

For gaming buffs interested in creating their own games for the Mac, Macworld Conference & Expo features a two-day Power Tools Conference on Game Development, which runs Wednesday, January 7 and Thursday, January 8. Led by conference chair Jeannie Novack, founder and CEO of Indiespace, this conference teaches the basics of game development, including platforms, genres, applications, story and character development, gameplay, design, art and sound. Sessions will cover:

• Historical elements: How did we get here?
• Player elements: Who plays and why?
• Game elements: What makes a great game?
• Game concept development
• Level and user interface design
• The development cycle: Planning, prototyping and playtesting
• The business cycle: Maintenance, management and models
• Game art: Tools and techniques
• Game audio: Music and sound design
• The future of game development

MWSF 2004 (add to watch list)

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