E3 - Downsizing? Cancelled?

ERP said:
Games will also ship with less lines of code that read
// HACK --Remove this after E3
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God, that is so true. The worst part is the number of titles that finally never go to E3, but have E3 switches in anyway "just in case" that never get removed because they, errr, "just work" in the programmer's pov. Sigh...

Uttar
 
Inane_Dork said:
Bingo. MS's X0n events are big. And the only reason more announcements have not come from them is that MS had to save them for E3. The Rare buyout gathered quite a bit of attention, though.
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Very true. I mean MS spends a lot of money on those shows and invite lots and lots of press and still they keep announcements away from them just so that they can have them as an E3 shocker or something.

I can not deny that E3 is a cool thing, especially with the preE3 conferences of the big ones, and that will be missed, but otherwise there is way to much noise and only the really top stuff will be noticed anyway, and noone can really cover the whole thing in a good way. Way to many thing go unnoticed, so small events will be better. The only problem I can see is that if those events are covered by invitation only, then there might be some problems with "uncomfortable" journals or whatever not being invited...
 
This can be considered both good and bad. Right now, E3 is too crowded as it is. It is good for the console manufacturers as this is where they showcase the gems they have and other devs have for their own respective systems. They get a lot of press but this leaves less room for small devs to get an equal share of press.

What we really need is a consumer focused show that is to present the actual games. We don't need tech demos, or videos of unfinished games. What would be good is playable games on playable hardware from the developer/publisher in the hands of the consumer.

Have it be smaller events across the country in the vein of auto shows. This way we could have a complete week of the show in different cities. I think that might cost too much money though, unless there was enough outside sponsoring at these events to cover the costs.
 
Doesnt surprise me in the least. You know whats destroying/ed it? Massive cooperations. Microsoft, Sony, huge publishers like EA and Vivendi. E3 has really lost meaning for the little guys, let alone the cost for them to get a small area to show off their latest work to the media whos then suppose to infect us with the hidden gems. Now its all about what console game looks the best or how many generic titles we can squeeze into that huge display area the size of a city block. Its not really a show anymore, hasnt been for a long time, now its more like one giant comercial where the dollar dominates.

Really quite sad actually.
 
Sonic said:
What we really need is a consumer focused show that is to present the actual games. We don't need tech demos, or videos of unfinished games. What would be good is playable games on playable hardware from the developer/publisher in the hands of the consumer.
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Apart from exhibiting new hardware, doesn't downloadable demos do a far better job than any show could? I think a better solution is for those companies releasing new hardware to run things like national tours. Get a couple of trucks to carry an exhibit around the country and give people hands on experience with your new gadget.
 
I'm actually not surprised at all. The whole premise of E3 was counter-productive to what the people there want.

If the idea of a giant convention is to increase public awareness then why have a convention where the public isn't allowed in? E3 is a press show, and frankly, all of the big news comes out before the show ever starts. Then select members of the press and industry insiders get to play demos for 3 days.

Woopie? And how much does that all cost again?

If E3 was done like a car show it would work out extremely well. Open it to the public, charge $5 for parking and $10 per person to get in, and split the proceeds between all of the participants. Then you would have an E3 that works.

But as it is right now it's a massive expense with almost zero return. Game developers in particular could just hold press conferences before GDC and achieve the same result at a fraction of the cost.
 
Yea I think the biggest lost is the both babes...errr I meant content of info...err ya something like that :)

In truth I am almost glad as I never was able to keep up with all of the E3 coverage, there is just soo much stuff there and so little time to read it all...
 
good, now maybe info will come out in a more timely fashion throughout the year and there won't be as much emphasis on winners and losers.

They can focus on their games instead of a dog and pony show.
 
Bah...
All this just because MS & SONY lost to the small Wii... really some people can't stand loosing...





;)
 
Official Word

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6154935.html

Basically, E3 as we know it now is over. Next year will be a small, 'intimate', meetings-orientated affair.

The press release:

Entertainment Software Association Announces Evolution of E3Expo for 2007
Monday July 31, 1:46 pm ET

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2006--To better address the needs of today's global computer and video game industry, the 2007 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo) is evolving into a more intimate event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today.

"The world of interactive entertainment has changed since E3Expo was created 12 years ago. At that time we were focused on establishing the industry and securing orders for the holiday season," said Douglas Lowenstein, President of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo. "Over the years, it has become clear that we need a more intimate program, including higher quality, more personal dialogue with the worldwide media, developers, retailers and other key industry audiences."

The new E3Expo will take shape over the next several months. As currently envisioned, it will still take place in Los Angeles, described by ESA as a "great and supportive partner helping to build E3." It will focus on press events and small meetings with media, retail, development, and other key sectors. While there will be opportunities for game demonstrations, E3Expo 2007 will not feature the large trade show environment of previous years.

"E3Expo remains an important event for the industry and we want to keep that sense of excitement and interest, ensuring that the human and financial resources crucial to its success can be deployed productively to create an exciting new format to meet the needs of the industry. The new event ensures that there will be an effective and more efficient way for companies to get information to media, consumers, and others," said Lowenstein.

Additionally, the evolution of the video game industry into a vibrant and expanding global market has led to the creation of major events in different regions, such as the Games Convention in Leipzig, the Tokyo Game Show, and company-specific events held by Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and others around the world. As a result, Lowenstein said, "It is no longer necessary or efficient to have a single industry 'mega-show.' By refocusing on a highly-targeted event, we think we can do a better job serving our members and the industry as a whole, and our members are energized about creating this new E3."

Additional details about the new E3Expo event will be forthcoming in the next few months.

The ESA is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. ESA members collectively account for more than 90 percent of the $7 billion in entertainment software sales in the U.S. in 2005, and billions more in export sales of entertainment software. For more information about the ESA, please visit www.theESA.com.
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Titanio said:
Basically, E3 as we know it now is over. Next year will be a small, 'intimate', meetings-orientated affair.

The press release:
Click to expand...


So basically it's gonna turn into a closed door thingy. I don't know if going the GDC road is going to be the road to success.
 
Hopefully the big three will continue to have their events. Somewhat like this year when Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo didnt even have their conferences inside e3, infact 1-2 days before e3.

And I think as a result, this just makes other events like GDC, CES, and TGS much bigger. TGS is pretty much now my most anticipated event of the year.
 
IGN has some comments from EA. Oh, and it'll be taking place in July next year:

http://psp.ign.com/articles/722/722058p1.html

Publishers such as Capcom and Electronic Arts have already announced their support for the new format. Electronic Arts told IGN that it is "very supportive" of the show's new approach, and plans to participate next July.

"When the show began 12 years ago, it was a great opportunity to meet with buyers, media and partners," an EA spokesperson explained. "Over time though, the timing has become disruptive to the studios and the costs have become expensive.

"The July event is less disruptive to our development schedule. We think that software shown in July will be a more accurate reflection of the games that will appear in stores later that year."
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Well if there's any truth to this rumor, I will be deeply saddened by the fact that I was never able to attend one. Because apparently California is the mecca of all things videogame, now isn't it? CLEAR across the country for me.
 
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