Next-Gen's Ten Reasons Why E3 Collapsed

[Skytram]

See here (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3548&Itemid=2) for a good analysis of the situation.

4. The 'E3 Winners' Farce
The 'who won E3?' contest beloved of we in the media had become a real problem. E3 is not a sporting contest, and yet it was increasingly seen as some form of championship. Every year we have one winner (2006: Nintendo; 2005: Sony etc.). Companies on this merry-go-round must sooner or later see that the value of winning one-in-three is not balanced by losing two in three.


This excellent point and 9 others in another great Next Generation editorial. Makes me wish the print magazine was still around.

[Dag-Sabot]

uh ..someone's already posted a similar article... ;)
edit: Just some gentle ribbing, post away good sir! Can't have enough E3 threads. :)

[Skytram]

I built this into the previous submission but it got posted anyway. It can be deleted.

[GrinR]

I think this is a shame, but a predictable failure. I remember being at E3 many years ago trying to network with publishers/developers for a new magazine Imagine (PC Gamer, Next-Gen, OXM, etc.) was launching. I went with a box of business cards and whatever the top-level press pass was and ended up trying to fight my way through hordes of gamers to get to the officials I needed to meet in order to set things up for the business. Although most of the time my press pass got me right to the head of the company, I felt ridiculous fighting so hard as a member of the press to get to the presenters.

I saw that E3 was rapidly changing from an industry event to a public spectacle, and that it was extremely bloated and top-heavy. My walk through Kentia only cemented this view, as the "poor" developers (like Turbine!) sat in dingy, curtained holes while douchebags like Ion Storm had massive displays in the main hall.

I'm glad to see the "big four" leave. Hopefully the implosion will result in a smaller but denser expo.

[Siraris]

I think EA was a big force behind E3 going away. I personally don't mind as long as there is still a lot of press coverage of games. I also think a lot of developers will probably be relieved that they don't have to interupt their development schedule to create E3 demo's. I bet that extra time could be really helpful.

My hope is that this will perhaps pave the way for smaller cross-country tours. Publishers or console makers could have events that tour the country allowing consumers to come and play the games themselves instead of reading about them online. THAT would be awesome.

[RainOfTerror]

E3 was becoming a big cirus anyhow, and too many people there that shouldn't be, cloggin up stations and hallways making it harder and more stressful for people trying to actually do their job.

Journalists dont care about huge ass booths with trucksize speakers and wallsized tv/monitor screens. Shit, we don't WANT that at all, it makes it impossble to hear and talk to representatives in a proper fashion.

Nor do we ASK for lavish parties at the end of the day, we got writing to do anyhow.

Cut all that out, and you'll save yourself tons of cask right there ..

[sixtyfps]

Next Generation Magazine was the most thoughtful printed gaming publication I've ever read. Then it was sold and became Next-Gen, which sucked. Haven't paid for a gaming mag since.

[Watership]

Next Generation Magazine was the most thoughtful printed gaming publication I've ever read. Then it was sold and became Next-Gen, which sucked. Haven't paid for a gaming mag since.

Was it published as "next-gen"? I thought it died in Print as "Next Generation". Now I can can't remember.. see what you have done?

[Heretic Machine]

E3 is dead because publishers and developers want to keep the bad press on bad games (the high majority of games that are made today) to a bare minimum. Most of what we know about upcoming games comes from E3. Now they have likely cut the effect of E3 down quite a bit, and they won't have to spend as much money either promoting or developing a game before they get it out the door.

Yes, this is a real win for consumers.

[Serapth]

Not to mention that "journalism", no offence to the present site, doesnt exist in games. Almost every print mag alive prints the same drivel and hyped based headlines they are feed after attending E3.

Bet they sure will miss the blow and free hookers though. Oh, and about the only event that made their poorly paying jobs somewhat worthwhile.

[Nightstorm]

Next Generation went through a refresh and was sold under the popular name of Next Gen eventually that went the way of the dinosaur. In my opinion (this is stretching my memory and age heh) the quality was still superior to pretty much anything out there. It was clear that they were searching for money and were pushing to sell more off the shelf (wide format, more attention to graphics), but I could always trust their reviews and loved reading it cover to cover, regardless of the name on the front. Props for the excellent glossy almost hard cover (other mags should learn).

I'll say it again and again, they've got my subscription day one if they start up the print edition again. For some reference, I haven't had a magazine subscription since they stopped printing. Well technically since I stopped getting PSM which filled out the remaining months of my Next Gen subscription.

[RorschachCCCLX]

I saw that E3 was rapidly changing from an industry event to a public spectacle, and that it was extremely bloated and top-heavy. My walk through Kentia only cemented this view, as the "poor" developers (like Turbine!) sat in dingy, curtained holes while douchebags like Ion Storm had massive displays in the main hall.
.
And now Ion Storm, makers of Thief and Deus Ex (both the good one and the bad one) is toast. Along with black Isle and the good devs at Rare.

E3 grew from being a dinky con held in Atlanta to a massive LA bash were Paris "I got famous for sucking a phallus on camera" Hilton even showed her rich white ass. It sort of lost its way, becoming less a preview of the future of gaming and more a collousal pissing contest between the big three. I remember E3 1999, when Sega put on a hell of show with an exiting and fun look at the Dreamcast, whilest Sony was critizied for its arogant and drab booths and cocky attitude. we all know who walked out the winner there.

:(

[SMES]

Next Generation went through a refresh and was sold under the popular name of Next Gen eventually that went the way of the dinosaur. In my opinion (this is stretching my memory and age heh) the quality was still superior to pretty much anything out there. It was clear that they were searching for money and were pushing to sell more off the shelf (wide format, more attention to graphics), but I could always trust their reviews and loved reading it cover to cover, regardless of the name on the front. Props for the excellent glossy almost hard cover (other mags should learn).

I'll say it again and again, they've got my subscription day one if they start up the print edition again. For some reference, I haven't had a magazine subscription since they stopped printing. Well technically since I stopped getting PSM which filled out the remaining months of my Next Gen subscription.
I agree with this post.