The 2007 Game Developers Conference (GDC) has got off to a start in San Francisco today, and, as always, the biggest names in the games industry are in attendance.

This year, the 20th, there will be emphasis on gaining knowledge and seize opportunities with the Next-Generation Platforms and mobile gaming.

The conference will run through to March 9 and this year the organisers have increased both the conference capacity and expo show floor size providing more opportunities for developers, tools and service providers, publishers and key industry players.

“Our guiding philosophy for the GDC is to stay true to our core audience – game developers. We continue to focus on delivering learning, inspiration, and networking opportunities to all the individuals who make games”, said Jamil Moledina, executive director of the Game Developers Conference.

“With next-generation systems now being new generation, the theme for GDC 2007, Take Control, will address how industry professionals can harness new creative processes, production methods, and business models to forge their own direction in the game industry.”

This year’s keynote addresses will be presented by videogame development legend Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s Senior Managing Director and General Manager, Entertainment Analysis & Development Division and creator of Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda will present the talk, “A Creative Vision”.

Phil Harrison, President, Worldwide Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), will return to the GDC to present “Game 3.0: Developing and Creating for the Third Age of Video Games”.

>> Read - Big name for 2007 Game Developers Conference
>> Link - Official Site/Game Developers Conference