JCalCGM
11-05-2006, 10:57 PM
2006 will be remembered as the year that video game marketing changed forever with the announcemet that the ESA was downsizing their trade show E3 to an invite only format. Perhaps the biggest single event in the gaming industry could be the Game Developers Conference. The annual event has already decided to expand its exhibit area in its new home of San Fransisco and GDC 2007's March dates will likely make it the last major gaming event of the year before E3 begins in July. FiringSquad got a chance to chat with GDC director Jamil Moledina (http://firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=13080) to find out more about their plans and how the changes for E3 might affect GDC. Here is a snip:
FiringSquad: Will we see the massive exhibits that have been the rule at past E3 events at GDC 2007?
Jamil Moledina: Not at all. We aren't changing the character of GDC. E3 has always been a complementary partner to GDC, and I don't see that relationship changing even with E3 taking on this new form. E3 is a summer game premiere event now, with developers demoing near complete games to the press. GDC is a March game learning event, where those same developers are going to be spending their time presenting and attending sessions. Combining the two would be contrary to core values.
FiringSquad: Will we see the massive exhibits that have been the rule at past E3 events at GDC 2007?
Jamil Moledina: Not at all. We aren't changing the character of GDC. E3 has always been a complementary partner to GDC, and I don't see that relationship changing even with E3 taking on this new form. E3 is a summer game premiere event now, with developers demoing near complete games to the press. GDC is a March game learning event, where those same developers are going to be spending their time presenting and attending sessions. Combining the two would be contrary to core values.