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modeps
10-24-2008, 06:27 AM
Following the announcement that E3 is making a play to return to their old form, Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20806) has a report up that IDG has effectively canned E for All after only two short years.

Originally billed as a successor of sorts to E3 after its 2007 downsizing, E for All’s two annual events have been held at the same Los Angeles Convention Center as E3. Unlike E3, though, the events took place in early October and were fully open to the public.

The expo has struggled to find wide acceptance -- the last event saw only 15,000 visitors. This compares to upwards of 60,000 at E3’s peak -- when it was only open to those within the games industry.

Currently, the only confirmation of the scrapping of E for All is a brief statement on website Voodoo Extreme, which reads: "We want to thank all of our E for All partners for their support, and we encourage E for All exhibitors to participate in the E3 new event, which we believe will meet their needs as well as those of the industry at large."

In theory it was an good idea... but they came after PAX.

Update:
Speculation over, E for All is dead (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55556).

IDG World Expo, the event organization behind E3 and the open-to-public E For All, has officially ended E For All, confirming suspicions aroused by a statement last night.

"Unfortunately, E For All will not be occurring in 2009, as our focus now turns to E3," said an IDG representative to Joystiq.

"We encourage E for All exhibitors to participate in the E3 new event," said IDG CEO Mary Dolaher yesterday. The new E3 has been re-expanded to hopefully recreate the extravagance that came with the event prior to 2007.

In 2008, E For All had a measly attendance of around 15,000--a fraction of the 58,000 garnered by the Penny Arcade Expo, another event known for being open to the public.

ElektroDragon
10-24-2008, 09:26 AM
Good riddance, I'm sick and tired of every freaking gaming convention being held in Southern California, honestly. PAX is like a breath of fresh air. There's already what, 5 game conventions held in LA alone? Bring another one up to Seattle. We'll eat it up like cupcakes and coffee.

Mondopest
10-24-2008, 10:09 AM
ElektroDragon, I can only think of E3 and E for All in LA, what are the others you refer too and are they gaming conventions in general (ie TCGs, etc) or strictly video game cons?

snubber
10-24-2008, 10:26 AM
I can't imagine what else he means. GDC is held in San Francisco. ComicCon is in San Diego, so maybe that counts sorta.

Mondopest
10-24-2008, 10:29 AM
I guess thats what he could mean. Personally, I am glad E3 is going to try for a comeback. Especially if Gallagher can hold the con to the 'smarter' ideals he is pushing for. Honestly, I have seen very few convention centers capable of comfortably housing their attendees whether it is in Seattle or San Francisco. Comic-Com was the biggest it has ever been this year and the SDCC was a nightmare. I think that CES is the most comfortable I have ever been at a convention - sure, there were a ton of people, but they had so much expo space available it was pretty nice.

Mondopest
10-24-2008, 02:12 PM
Here is the official confirmation statement from the IDG:
“We want to thank all of our E for All partners for their support, and we encourage E for All exhibitors to participate in the E3 new event, which we believe will meet their needs as well as those of the industry at large. IDG World Expo is very pleased to be partnering with the ESA on E3 and continuing to play a central role in that important industry event. We look forward to furthering our contribution to the success of the video game community. E for All will not be occurring in 2009, as our focus now turns to E3.”

modeps
10-24-2008, 05:12 PM
Speculation over, E for All is dead (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55556).

IDG World Expo, the event organization behind E3 and the open-to-public E For All, has officially ended E For All, confirming suspicions aroused by a statement last night.

"Unfortunately, E For All will not be occurring in 2009, as our focus now turns to E3," said an IDG representative to Joystiq.

"We encourage E for All exhibitors to participate in the E3 new event," said IDG CEO Mary Dolaher yesterday. The new E3 has been re-expanded to hopefully recreate the extravagance that came with the event prior to 2007.

In 2008, E For All had a measly attendance of around 15,000--a fraction of the 58,000 garnered by the Penny Arcade Expo, another event known for being open to the public.