CNN: E3 Downsizes, but its Parties Won't

[Evil Avatar]

Yesterday's announcement that E3 would be dramatically scaling back caught the gaming world off its guard. This week's Game Over (http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/01/commentary/column_gaming/index.htm) speaks with ESA president Doug Lowenstein about the decision and its ramifications. The new focus of the show: Reporters, but a very select group. The idea of an open-to-the-public show was, in fact, considered. And the legendary E3 parties? Well... those will probably continue.

[Savok]

Journalists need their alcohol, it's all they run on.

[jeffool]

The new focus of the show: Reporters, but a very select group. The idea of an open-to-the-public show was, in fact, considered.Hey, being open to the public works for Comicon...

[Zeal]

Man, fuck this shit.

[Vermillion]

Open to a select group of reporters. Whom we are familiar with. That will give us amazing reviews. So instead of spending money on a booth, I just have to offer freebies and "exclusives" to said reviewer. Then I get more sales, because we now control point of view. Everyone wins except the consumer.

I used to think E3 was pretty cool in the circus atmosphere. Now it's just a glorified advertisement.

[Citizen Philip]

Sounds good in my opinion. I think the big companies can find other venues to measure their corporate e-dicks against each other and have their circle jerk of self-congratulations in private.

Most of the stuff you see at E3 is crap made for E3 that doesn't reflect in part or whole what a game will actually be. No one listens to gaming press anyways, unless you are looking for a little nugget of a comment to pass off to friends.

Besides a media circus what are you really missing? They'll still release their screenshots, movies and demos at the same time. Maybe they'll actually try to take it to the street and do their best to get it in your hands, instead of having a 4 million dollar lot for a few days.

[Deadend]

Just invite me to the parties. I think I can get enough booze in me to last until the next parties, as they have the goood stuff.

[Zeal]

All this does is stop real people from giving real, unfiltered and unbiased opinions. Now nothing can be trusted.

i.e., blogs.

[Rook34]

I once went to a CES in 92 which was pretty much an E3 but open to the public. Not sure if those even exist anymore but man it was sweet to see all the new shit coming out. And not just videogames and booth babes, of which there was an abundance of both, but new gadgets and electronics. I saw HDTV's there and had never seen them before back then. I'll never forget that summer road trip driving to Chicago for that, it was so much fun. I'm all for (E3 or whatever they'll call it now) being open to the public - it's what it should be and should have been all along.

[PacoTaco]

Do developers who don't own companies still get to go?

[31 Flavas]

I'm all for (E3 or whatever they'll call it now) being open to the public - it's what it should be and should have been all along.Well the reason why these shows, CES, E3, and similar, typically restrict public access is beacause the event is so company X can show off their product to marketers and other bussinesses. Who would then potentially sell said item in their stores or invest $$$ in said item or company.

Having the public and fanboi's clogging the isles doesn't make for a very good situation. Certainly both the Company, marketer, and potential investor want to know what the buying public's opinion and reactions are so they havn't been completely shut off from the public and even sell public tickets some times.

The article seems to state though that E3 has just gotten to be too public of an event, even if it isn't exactly open to the public. Hence, the collapse, restructuring, and why the next one will be 1/6 the attenance.

[Rook34]

Well the reason why these shows, CES, E3, and similar, typically restrict public access is beacause the event is so company X can show off their product to marketers and other bussinesses. Who would then potentially sell said item in their stores or invest $$$ in said item or company.

Having the public and fanboi's clogging the isles doesn't make for a very good situation. Certainly both the Company, marketer, and potential investor want to know what the buying public's opinion and reactions are so they havn't been completely shut off from the public and even sell public tickets some times.

The article seems to state though that E3 has just gotten to be too public of an event, even if it isn't exactly open to the public. Hence, the collapse, restructuring, and why the next one will be 1/6 the attenance.

Yeah, I see your point and can understand that - but they should at least have it open to the public on 1 day or something as it could help offset the cost if they charged an admission price, and who wouldn't want to go? (I'm sure some people would say no, but a majority of gamers would want to go if they could.)