Anyone ever been to E3?

[The Cerebral Assassin]

It's supposed to be closed to the general public, but I've heard regular people say they got in, so has anyone been?

[DS]

As of this year you have to be in the gaming industry to attend but before all you had to be was 18 and in the area. There is a contest in Sony's GAP that has them sending 5 people. Pretty nice to see them doing that, as any gamer who was really serious about it would know this is the biggest event there is. Not to mention this year where all 3 next-gen consoles are going to be revealed.

[The Cerebral Assassin]

How come they change the rules this year?

[DS]

Can't remember really. This way it's more of an exclusive gaming industry convention. Wish they hadn't done it but either way.

I think it's because it's a trade show. I think that was why.

[The Cerebral Assassin]

Know of any way an outsider can get in?

It would be worth the effort to see the next gen consoles.

[DS]

Wish I did, sorry. :(

Then again, it's like $250 for a ticket.

[Requiem]

I'd shit myself if I ever got to go to E3... of course, I'd bring clean pants for before I actually went in. And of course a bag with several pairs of clean pants for the other times I would shit myself after getting in.

[Pegasus Crawford]

You don't need to be part of a company like Square-Enix or Nintendo, just as long as you are connected to the gaming/entertainment industry somehow. I'm sure those "regular people" who got in worked at like a gamestop/eb or a place that sells video games. I knew a guy who was an Assistant Manager at a Gamestop in LA who got into e3 2003, and got pics of himself with an American Idol contestant and Shigeru Miyamoto.

Hopefully I plan on attending e3 next year. Or at the very least, once during my lifetime. >_<

[Bad Guy]

Say you're Bill Gates and you're here for Microsoft and demand to be let through the door. If that fails, run.

[V]

i go every year, i'll post some pics tonight

[V]

i wish :(

[Fignuts]

All you have to be, is like a manager at a game store. It's not like you have to work for Nintendo or anything. I used to work for EB games, and our manager went.

[DS]

That would be part of the gaming industry.

[The Cerebral Assassin]

Posted by some guy on the G4 forums:
An exhibits only pass can be bought, for roughly $300, by those people without the necessary credentials to prove their connection to the industry.


I'm not sure if it's true, or where you would go to get the pass. If there are any enterprising individuals in the Southern California area with no ties to the industry that want to try and be part of the Mecca of gaming, go for it and see if it's true.

[DS]

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

<tbody><tr>
<td width="50%">&nbsp;</td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="30%"><b>Early Registration<br>Discount on or<br>before 4.15.05</b></td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="20%"><b>Regular Price<br>beginning<br>4.16.05</b></td>
</tr>

</tbody></table>
<br><b>Package One - Super Pass</b><br>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="50%">&nbsp;</td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="30%"><b>$475</b></td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="20%"><b>$550</b></td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td colspan="3" class="tableRowEven">Tuesday-Thursday:
Includes 9 workshops, 3 luncheon sessions (boxed lunch served to first
100 attendees) 22 conference sessions, and a three-day exhibit floor
pass.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br><b>Package Two - Conference Package</b><br>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="50%">&nbsp;</td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="30%"><b>$375</b></td>

<td class="tableRowEven" width="20%"><b>$450</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" class="tableRowEven">Wednesday &amp; Thursday: Includes 22 conference sessions, and a three-day exhibit floor pass.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br><b>Package Three - Workshop Package</b><br>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="50%">&nbsp;</td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="30%"><b>$300</b></td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="20%"><b>$375</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" class="tableRowEven">Tuesday:
Includes 9 workshops, 3 luncheon sessions (boxed lunch served to first
100 attendees), and a three-day exhibit floor pass.</td>

</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br><b>Package Four - Exhibits Only</b><br>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="50%">&nbsp;</td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="30%"><b>$275</b></td>
<td class="tableRowEven" width="20%"><b>$325</b></td>

</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" class="tableRowEven">Package Four includes a three-day exhibit floor pass.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>

[DS]

Kind of spread out but there are the prices.

[AareDub]

Never been to E3, but since I got promoted up to the corporate office at Gamestop I get to go to the national conference this year. During the conference there is a vendor night that is basically like a mini-E3 (with an open bar). It takes place like in September, so it means that basically all the unplayable stuff at E3 is playable by the time it gets to our conference.

I guess I could go to E3 this year, but I won't (probably have to work). Next year seems like a good possibility though.

[CYCLOPTERSAURUS]

I went in 2001. Dave Jaffe (TM, God of War) / Steve Ceragioli (Twisted Metal) got me in. I still have a pass that says "Sony Jr. Designer" on it.

It was awesome. If you guys can manage to go, I highly reccommend it.

[Bo]

My buddy works at Gamestop and they can get in free.