E3 Cancelled?

[alvarado52]

http://www.gamedreamz.com/index.cgi?m=stories&s=read&id=6198

Next-Gen has the scoop: Doug Lowenstein, the president of the Entertainment Software Association is expected to announce within the next 48 hours that E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the definitive video games show, has been cancelled. Industry sources have told Next-Gen that the reasoning behind this move is primarily one of cost versus return. Publishers aren't getting the media attention that they expect from the large amounts of cash that they're putting down to exhibit at the show.

Apparently publishers believe that the multi-million dollar budgets allocated to E3 would be better used on smaller, specific shows where publishers get all the limelight. There's the possibility of a smaller show taking place in May next year, but as Next-Gen puts it, "it's clear that the days of an industry event attended by all the major publishers, spending big money, are gone."

[Destor]

:eek:

[Joey Slugs]

wow. strange news.

[Joey Slugs]

I'm guessing that Sony, Microsoft, & Nintendo will host their own shows from now on.

[Blitz]

Fuck. That's awful.

[Boomer]

Gamespot says they may just downsize it, but who knows.

[road doggy dogg]

I'm guessing that Sony, Microsoft, & Nintendo will host their own shows from now on.

That would be awesome. Nintendo-only E3 would be sex in a bottle.

[ClockShot]

Gamespot says they may just downsize it, but who knows.

It would be the best move. If you take a look at this year's floor plan, the "big 3" had about a fair amount of the convention center to themselves. Then you work your way down to major companies, and then off the radar.

[DS]

Not a big deal. They have GDC and plenty of other expos that would hold all the companies over.

Also, most places are just saying a downsizing along with Gamespot rather than a full cancellation.

[UmbrellaCorporation]

WTF. Gay.

[Kane Knight]

E3 is overrated anyway.

[Savio]

E3 stands for "Electronic Entertainment Expo"

[DS]

Not canceled just downsized:

"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."

[Joey Slugs]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2006/20060731.jpg

[Kane Knight]

I love how E3 is making it sound like it was their idea to downsize, when it appears it was the publishers who made the decision necessary.

Nothing like Saving face in the gaming world.

[Fignuts]

Damn it. I never got to go to one.