E3 is coming back as it was

[Queasy]

Link - Good. The past two E3s have been dreadful and way too late in the year.

The Entertainment Software Association will be bringing back the high-octane version of E3 to Los Angeles next year, G4 TV's X-Play reported Monday night.

The confirmation comes two years after the ESA killed off the large, loud and expensive E3 format for a more "intimate" version in 2007 and 2008 that catered to a limited number of media and business attendees.

E3 2009 will once again take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but take place earlier on the calendar, from June 2-4 next year.

The X-Play report said to expect "tens of thousands" of attendees at E3 2009.

At its height, E3 was able to attract 70,000 attendees. After the reconfiguration, that number dwindled to just a few thousand due to a more stringent vetting process.

Tickets to the event will not be sold to the public.

E3 2006 was the last time the event was the huge media circus loved and hated by journos and game companies. When the cost to make a splash at the event got too high, particularly with extravagant booths and other expenses, publishers became critical of the event.

But after E3 2008, game execs seemed to have changed their tune, saying that a small E3 had lost its relevance, and a large event that attracts mass market attention was needed for the industry.

X-Play said the ESA will make an official announcement tomorrow.

edit: here is the G4TV link with video.

As for the return of booth babes? that?s still to be determined, but we have our fingers crossed.

 

[blurredvision]

I wish they'd do it like TGS does....press and industry "insiders" are allowed on days 1 and 2, then it's open to the public on day 3 (or 4). All in all, I think it's good to have a big spectacle for the industry to get the regular press to hear about it.

 

[ponyo]

They can wish for bigger and the return to the old E3. But with the economy like it is and likely to worsen, good luck getting companies to pony up the cash.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Never understood why they got rid of the old format, it always did well and got bigger and better every year...maybe they thought they couldn't keep that pace up so they decided to make a clear break instead of scale it back which would potentially look like a regression. Instead they had the excuse that they simply changed the format...

Originally posted by: Naustica
They can wish for bigger and the return to the old E3. But with the economy like it is and likely to worsen, good luck getting companies to pony up the cash.

Reality doesn't seem to match your assumptions

Despite the decline in September sales compared to the previous year, the video game industry continues to be healthy. Frazier states, "Overall, the health of the video games industry remains quite strong despite the rocky economic conditions. Tracking against typical industry seasonality, the U.S. video games industry is positioned to realize $22B or more in revenues for the year."

Overall, the market is at $11.82 billion in sales for January to September 2008, compared to $9.38 billion in sales for the same period in 2007.

from http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=13235

 

[Dumac]

Yes, we need booth babes! Just look at how fun TGS is, and they have booth babes galore.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I wish they'd do it like TGS does....press and industry "insiders" are allowed on days 1 and 2, then it's open to the public on day 3 (or 4). All in all, I think it's good to have a big spectacle for the industry to get the regular press to hear about it.

Its painfully easy for the public to get in already. Been there once in 05, and I was shocked how freely they gave the press passes away, which even got us past a few lines here or there.

Glad to hear its back, would love to go again.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
Never understood why they got rid of the old format, it always did well and got bigger and better every year...maybe they thought they couldn't keep that pace up so they decided to make a clear break instead of scale it back which would potentially look like a regression. Instead they had the excuse that they simply changed the format...

Originally posted by: Naustica
They can wish for bigger and the return to the old E3. But with the economy like it is and likely to worsen, good luck getting companies to pony up the cash.

Reality doesn't seem to match your assumptions

Despite the decline in September sales compared to the previous year, the video game industry continues to be healthy. Frazier states, "Overall, the health of the video games industry remains quite strong despite the rocky economic conditions. Tracking against typical industry seasonality, the U.S. video games industry is positioned to realize $22B or more in revenues for the year."

Overall, the market is at $11.82 billion in sales for January to September 2008, compared to $9.38 billion in sales for the same period in 2007.

from http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=13235

Well, I went to one a few years ago and can say I don't recall ever seeing so many people arrested. The booze was flowing that year. Oye, I dont even remember half of it.