E3 At 90% Capacity for Vendors

[modeps]

http://evavhost.com/i/news/e3.jpg

Even though the past two years have garnered quite a bit of criticism, it looks like the previously announced changes to E3 have brought more interest back to the troubled expo. Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22809) is reporting that the ESA has 90% of the vendor space has been sold and on track for its 40,000 attendee goal.

Last year's event garnered criticism from some industry publishers. Several major companies, notably Activision, rescinded their ESA membership and declined to present at E3. This year's event appears to be enjoying more support, however.

"The E3 Expo is bigger and better this year and for EA," says Electronic Arts' corporate communications VP Jeff Brown. EA CEO John Riccitiello was among the critics of last year's event, commenting at the time: "I hate E3 like this."

Now, says Brown, "The expanded format means we'll have more demos, announcements, promotions and blockbuster games than ever before."

THQ publishing EVP Scott Guthrie also gave the new format a vote of confidence, and Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter notes that the timing of this year's E3 in June is more constructive to publishers. Among the criticisms of last year's event was the fact that its timing made it less than ideal for strong announcements.

Journalists must be hating this. E3 should be for the trade, PAX should be for the community.

[Sloth]

I was actually glad that E3 was gone, I like how things were starting to shape up so that there was lots of different venues to debut new products or information throughout the year, instead of one big show where so much goes on you can't even follow it all unless it's your job.

[modeps]

I was actually glad that E3 was gone, I like how things were starting to shape up so that there was lots of different venues to debut new products or information throughout the year, instead of one big show where so much goes on you can't even follow it all unless it's your job.

I honestly LOVE the surge of news that comes out of E3, but I couldn't imagine actually being there and trying to cover everything when there's a sea of people to wade through and hours of lines to wait in.

[MADxMrMike]

I thought the new format last year was going to be better for the business. E3 in the past got so out of control. It was like fucking Disney World for gamers. I mean no wonder everyone and their mother was trying everything they could to get in. So when they trimmed the fat last year I thought it was to keep the posers out. I guess it backfired. LOL. Anyway now that it's back to normal developers are going to be stressed to pump out half ass demos to show at E3. Hopefully they will understand that E3 can help a game but in the end, if it's awesome, people will find out about it even if it doesn't show up at the show.

[Rommel]

This is an industry show - it should be whatever the industry feels is best for business. The past two E3's were not, in fact, any good for business. Maybe this will be better.

[modeps]

This is an industry show - it should be whatever the industry feels is best for business. The past two E3's were not, in fact, any good for business. Maybe this will be better.

The main issue with E3 the past two years was its timing, not its format. They held it in mid-July. It was later than most companies wanted to announce their holiday lineups. This year is still a little late (should be held in May, not June), but its a month earlier, and that's enough to gain more interest.

[Syl]

I thought the new format last year was going to be better for the business. E3 in the past got so out of control. It was like fucking Disney World for gamers. I mean no wonder everyone and their mother was trying everything they could to get in. So when they trimmed the fat last year I thought it was to keep the posers out. I guess it backfired. LOL. Anyway now that it's back to normal developers are going to be stressed to pump out half ass demos to show at E3. Hopefully they will understand that E3 can help a game but in the end, if it's awesome, people will find out about it even if it doesn't show up at the show.
E3 WAS disney world for gamers. That's why I absolutely loved it so much. I made it to E3 2005; as an "amateur" in the game industry (AKA: I wrote a couple reviews and worked on a website long enough to get into E3) it was amazing.

I'm glad that they're bringing it back to what it was; E3 was outrageously extravagant, unnecessarily high cost and it was incredible. I've always LOVED simply covering the news that comes out E3 week. Watching the keynotes and just the overall amazing amount of news made it worthwhile.

[Johan]

Didn't care when it was huge...didn't care when it died...don't care if it returns.

Just had to get that off my chest! Feels good! :D

[balamoor]

Well I have heard from some pretty credible folks this is a lot of spin and E-3 is on much trouble as it has been.

And here is what I am not getting and it's happening everywhere not only with failing Game Conventions but also with Failing Businesses: Even though you are one step away from financial disaster lie and say you are on a serious up tick.
I mean what the hell people? Lying about you condition will not make it happen, name it and claim it has been and will always be Bullshit......the longer people companies and yes conventions continue to not be straight up with the world the harder they are going to hit once the do fail.

[Azriel77]

The main problem with E3 near the end was that they were just showing CGI crap of games we already knew were coming out and showing NOTHING new. Show us some actual NEW games coming out with ACTUAL GAMEPLEY footage!