The 5th Annual Ankama convention is scheduled for this spring, and it's already inspired quite a buzz. Convention organizers expect as many as 30,000 visitors from around the world to descend on Paris in April.

Initially, I wasn't too sure I'd heard of the Ankama universe, or of DOFUS, the French MMORPG the convention will celebrate (a quick peek at the website, though, and I suddenly remembered I have indeed ventured inside). I do know that DOFUS is huge in France, so Ankama's World of Twelve is fairly analogous to Vana'diel, except that you can get farther into the lands of DOFUS without paying anything.

Press for Ankama promise their visiting fans "book signings, tournaments, shopping, gift packs, developer sessions and Q&As, and hands-on gaming opportunities," especially with Islands of Wakfu, an upcoming Ankama title for XBLA, currently in beta.

Attendees can also look forward to a beta invitation to "an unannounced Ankama game." And 200 lucky fans might also get first crack at "Frigost," the latest DOFUS extension. Still, I heard 'shopping' and 'swag.' Won't someone send me to Paris, please?

The Parc des Espositions de Paris will open its doors to Ankama fans on April 17. The convention lasts through the following day.

[Ankama-Convention.com]