E3 Returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center

[jromero]

Much like the 2-year sabbatical it took to Atlanta in the 90's, the powers that be have decided that changing venues just isn't a great idea (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8388&Itemid=2).

The first E3 Media and Business Summit, held in July this year, garnered criticism for an inconvenient layout that had media and industry people shuttling between their own hotel, hotels where game companies were staying and a hangar where many of the games were on display.

No more shuttle buses! Huzzah!

[bapenguin]

Thank god. I'm glad they are keeping it small again as well.

[Psykoboy2]

Damn I hope I get to go this year.

[Deadend]

If anyone reading this can send me a ticket, I will write some detailed previews featuring long words.

Or I can just say whatever is best game ever.

[Camel]

Thank god. I'm glad they are keeping it small again as well.
Not me! I kind of looked forward to the spectacle every year. Then again, I never actually had to deal with it in person.

[jromero]

Thank god. I'm glad they are keeping it small again as well.

Yeah, I didn't get a chance to go last year but I've been when it was both in Atlanta and in LA. I'm sure the change of pace was welcomed. Hopefully I'll get an in this year. I'd like to see how things are progressing. You know, in person. :)

[Heretic Machine]

Here is what I don't get: If you're not going to be speaking directly to the enthusiasts, then why not just send out some press-releases, screenshots, and demos to the journalists? What exactly does a convention like this accomplish?

[Sl1pstream]

It's more personal and more direct than sending out press releases.

[Zanzibar]

Here is what I don't get: If you're not going to be speaking directly to the enthusiasts, then why not just send out some press-releases, screenshots, and demos to the journalists? What exactly does a convention like this accomplish?

It's not the journalists that are the primary focus of E3, it's the retailers. The game companies want the retailers to carry truckloads of their games on the shelves. So they bring them in, schmooze them, and talk turkey on how many units the retailer is going to order.

[Doctor Setebos]

It's not the journalists that are the primary focus of E3, it's the retailers. The game companies want the retailers to carry truckloads of their games on the shelves. So they bring them in, schmooze them, and talk turkey on how many units the retailer is going to order.The other major focus for E3 is to give smaller developers a chance to show off their projects to publishers in the hope of getting a distribution deal.

[fatefodder]

At the very least, there will be far less trouble traveling from venue to venue this year. Welcome home.

[Sarconix]

Much like the 2-year sabbatical it took to Atlanta in the 90's, the powers that be have decided that changing venues just isn't a great idea (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8388&Itemid=2).

Wait a minute... what's wrong with Heistlanta (http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/12/13/dornin.bank.robbing.capital.cnn)... I mean, Atlanta?

[WhiteCrow]

Yeah, as a gaming convention director myself (TempleCon 2008! w00t!) I've found that having any sort of significant distance between your event venues is really going to hurt you. People just don't want to trek all over the place to see everything. They want to chill out, have fun, and take everything in, preferably in one central place.

On the other hand, booking a location for any event, especially one like E3, can be a serious pain in the ass. So many factors go into selecting a good location.

[Digital Outlaw]

Bring it up to NYC!!!

[Lorekeep]

Ah, I long for the days when we get to digital downloads and say "Fuck retailers."

Probably won't happen anytime this century though.

[Citizen Philip]

TRANSLATION: Without all the hoopla, a sizable dent in their operating profits have occurred as vendors decide to go to PAX and other reasonably priced events. Expect to see more booth babes again.

[iHap]

Yay, I'll be 18 by then. If it's anything like last, I wont even think about going.

[51|RandoM]

TRANSLATION: Without all the hoopla, a sizable dent in their operating profits have occurred as vendors decide to go to PAX other reasonably priced events. Expect to see more booth babes again.

...but they haven't changed the differences between the new E3(primarily about relationships between companies) and things like PAX(primarily about relationships between the companies and the gamers).

Sounds to me like they're just going back to a place where they can have all of it in one area and not have to deal with the shuttlebus/hotel nightmare.

Probably be the best E3 ever, at least for people in the business.

[Disgustipated]

Here's hoping EvAv can get me a press pass for that wonderpalooza.

[Chimpster]

Sounds cool to me! Hey Bap! We'll have to hook up again and hit the briefings!