View Full Version : No more E3?
Senior industry sources have revealed to Next-Gen.Biz that the E3 industry event, in its present form, has been cancelled for next year and the foreseeable future.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) shindig has been a staple of game industry life since the mid-1990s. However, we understand the larger exhibitors have jointly decided that the costs of the event do not justify the returns, generally measured in media exposure.
Publishers believe the multi-million dollar budgets would be better spent on more company-focused events that bring attention to their own product lines rather than the industry as a whole.
Well placed sources say the news that larger exhibitors were pulling out had prompted urgent meetings among publishing executives. They decided that, without the support of the larger software publishers and hardware manufacturers, there would be no point in continuing.
ESA president Doug Lowenstein will likely announce the news some time within the next 48 hours, possibly on Monday. It's possible that the ESA will seek to limit the damage by organizing some form of lesser event in May, but it's clear that the days of an industry event attended by all the major publishers, spending big money, are gone.
Calls to ESA staff are not being returned at present.
http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3538&Itemid=2
:(
MetalGearAl
30-07-2006, 19:32
Publishers believe the multi-million dollar budgets would be better spent on more company-focused events that bring attention to their own product lines rather than the industry as a whole.
In other words, Sony are upset that only 3 people visited their stand this year - 2 of which were just stopping to ask for directions to the Nintendo stand?
In other words, Sony are upset that only 3 people visited their stand this year - 2 of which were just stopped to ask for directions to the Nintendo stand?
:lol: ... Well i'm surprised & sad to see this go. Hopefully there will be some kind of alternative to replace it. Where else are we gonna get to chuckle at Sony? :p
Doesn't this kind of limit the amount of overall feedback you can get from the industry, because with E3 you had sony microsoft and nintendo fans as well as just general gaming fans giving there impression of whats on display, so you get to hear different opinions on the exhibit, but if its publisher only events now it pretty much means that the negative feedback from each exhibit will be limited and the positive feedback will bve boosted as the largest percentage of each audience will already be a fanboy of that company so will defend it no matter what.
Obviously there will be exceptions and the reporters etc that attend will give opinions but it just seems to me like a way of cutting your competitors fans out of the mix so they cant say how dodgy your exhibit is or slag it off.
Does that make any sense or am I talking crap again?
RobDickinson
31-07-2006, 00:17
IMO Sony looked pants, sony pulls out, big black hole where $$$$ used to be = end of E3.
Giant crabs, real time weapons switching and massive damage 4tw.
Mr Majestik
31-07-2006, 07:48
E3's much bigger than just Sony though. It's a full on electronics expo.
Now if it was as poor as ECTS used to be i could understand...
Very sad to read that E3 is no more. I always looked forward to E3 and I will miss it. I think it is more likely to be EA pulling out rather than Sony. The big three console makers have everything to gain by continuing to support E3, as do those developers/publishers who want to show off innovative games.
Gamespot: So what can we look forward to in next year's ??? game.
EA: Well we have updated rosters.
Gamespot: Anything else?
EA: What about those new Booth Babe regulation lengths?
Joe Pasquale
31-07-2006, 08:32
Reports to the contrary here:
http://digg.com/gaming_news/E3_Will_Be_Downsized_Not_Cancelled
It'll be a shame if it goes TBH... I think they just need to crack down some more (even more than this years) on what people are allowed to go. There is a staggering amount of 'press' from non-games sectors; I lost count at how many people from music magazines I spoke to... and lots of kids that got in because they run some fan website somewhere.
Talking to randoms in queues it was a rarity to speak to a developer, and publishing bods even rarer still. Trim the fat!
ryonhilluk
31-07-2006, 09:38
I hope it doesn't go, its a key part of the industry.
MetalGearAl
31-07-2006, 10:44
Hopefully it could speed up development times if devs aren't pressured into wasting a month or two hashing together some playable code for their publishers to demo at E3?
Mr Majestik
31-07-2006, 11:38
Hopefully it could speed up development times if devs aren't pressured into wasting a month or two hashing together some playable code for their publishers to demo at E3?
They'll just have to work on demo's for Sonyworld/X Box supershed or whatever takes E3's place shows instead.
Grandmaster
31-07-2006, 12:29
I've been to many E3s and its preceding CESs and I'm glad to see it go (though I have many fond memories of CES). All the good stuff is always shown behind closed doors, and all the key info is always revealed in the big pre-show conferences any way.
E3 itself was therefore a case of shambling around hoping to find a decent game, seeing everything (that you're allowed to see that is) within one day then aimlessly wondering about for the other two, your senses assaulted by too-loud sound systems and the fetid stench of a thousand obese webmasters. Or if you are less fortunate than I am, having to queue for hours on end for 10 minutes with a new piece of hardware.
A tradeshow where I can actually sit down with my clients and actually be heard would be a good start. The only sad thing about this is that the hordes are now likely to descend on GDC.
Idle Child
31-07-2006, 12:52
How can E3 be so costly? I thought it was just a big rented hall (which they'd contribute to, but considering all the companies involved they'd spread the cost) and the game deves would just show up with their hardware, with some fans even [i]paying[i/] for tickets if not faking their press passes.
Wendelius
31-07-2006, 13:04
How can E3 be so costly? I thought it was just a big rented hall (which they'd contribute to, but considering all the companies involved they'd spread the cost) and the game deves would just show up with their hardware,
Have you seen the larger booths and the number of people working on those booths at E3? Hardly a few devs who brought their hardware along. Everyone trying to outdo everyone else. Then publishers sometimes bring in celebrity guests. It's the kind of thing you have to do to be noticed at all. Add to that the cost in development time of preparing E3 specific demos and you have quite an interesting budget and amount of human resources devoted to 1 show.
Wendelius
Barney_Tabasco
31-07-2006, 17:14
I've been to many E3s and its preceding CESs and I'm glad to see it go (though I have many fond memories of CES). All the good stuff is always shown behind closed doors, and all the key info is always revealed in the big pre-show conferences any way.
E3 itself was therefore a case of shambling around hoping to find a decent game, seeing everything (that you're allowed to see that is) within one day then aimlessly wondering about for the other two, your senses assaulted by too-loud sound systems and the fetid stench of a thousand obese webmasters. Or if you are less fortunate than I am, having to queue for hours on end for 10 minutes with a new piece of hardware.
A tradeshow where I can actually sit down with my clients and actually be heard would be a good start. The only sad thing about this is that the hordes are now likely to descend on GDC.
Yes, but how will you cope without expenses paid trips to the Body Shop, excessive booze everynight whilst watching developers fling themselves off the bucking bronco on Sunset, posh hotels, bagsful of freebies, meeting some extra from Babylon 5 on a struggling new publishers stand, stop offs at Las Vegas to blow the company expenses on the way home, 2 weeks of jet lag and scorn from your colleagues who are suspicious at your suntan ;)
ESA confirms smaller E3 in '07
Annual expo to become "more intimate event," focus on press events, small meetings.
The Entertainment Software Association has confirmed reports that its Electronic Entertainment Expo will be undergoing changes for next year. The organization's statement detailing the changes follows:
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.
http://uk.gamespot.com/pages/news/story.php?sid=6154935
ryonhilluk
31-07-2006, 19:53
I wonder if Nintendo will revive Spaceworld then.
For many, E3 is the only time they get to see the people running their favourite games companies and im sure Reggie gets paid extra for them :D
How will we cope without the regginator?
Unclegrump
01-08-2006, 10:15
Im with Grandmaster. E3 is now more of a "networking" exercise for the industry as most of the titles on the floor have already been seen. During our visit this year, 90% of our time was spent meeting up with people and potential clients rather than looking at what was on the show floor, and for us it is handy to have all the potential clients in one city at the same time rather than a long (and expensive) sales trip.
As to the costs, it is pretty damn expensive! Bear in mind the cost of the actual pitch on the floor, then the cost of the stand along with equipment, roadies and not forgetting the costs of sending people to LA each year. Some of the major publishers easily sink over $10m into E3!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/deanos81/E3.jpg
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.