The End of E3?

Ground Glass writes "Next Generation is reporting that E3 as we know it is finished. The games industry has lost its most glamorous show." Update: 07/30 21:18 GMT by Z : A reader wrote in with a link to an Ars Technica story saying that the event is to be downsized, not cancelled. From that article: "At the end of the day, the reason is very simple: ten years ago, you needed a big trade show to generate buzz and hype. It used to be that COMDEX was a special event because so much new stuff was unveiled, and this was the only way to see it. Now, however, information comes down the pipe faster than ever, and companies are wondering if there's really any benefit to spending the big money on displays only to share the floor with other competitors looking to out-wow attendees." I guess we'll see in a day or two what the future of E3 looks like.

Comments

PAX to fill void?

[aapold]

Wonder if PAX could sort of by default become the big gaming convention...

PAX

Re:PAX to fill void?

[JorDan Clock]

Actually, the "C" is for "Cookie," which is good enough for me. P.S. This is a joke on the other replies...

Massive damage = walkout?

[Lave]

Hmmmm, Should I say it? Hmmmm,

Do I dare?

So.... these rumours, I think, that maybe, the "big-player." Pulling out. Could be.

Based on no evidence other than historical battles, giant crabs and real time weapon change

....Sony?

Too much public MASSIVE DAMAGE? It pretty much provided a focus point for the interweb community (aka early adopters) to turn against them. Maybe they don't want anymore showcases where they have to say words like "six hundred and ninety nine united states dollars" to the world anymore - when a press release would be nicer.

*runs and hides*

Re:Massive damage = walkout?

[ichigo 2.0]

Here's the funny vid he is referring to for those 40% that modded him troll. I liked the "innovative gameplay" and "realtime weapon change" myself. 30% Redundant? Maybe. All this sony bashing is starting to sound redundant.

I welcome the exit, if true...

[RomSteady]

Given the amount of money spent trying to get E3 builds ready, stabilize those builds, then strip out the hacks so that people can get back to work, this may actually be a good thing.

If I have to choose between E3 and essentially getting an extra month of productivity a year...farewell, E3, I barely knew ye.

It figures, really...

[FlyByPC]

When you go and ban booth babes, what's the point of going to E3, anyway?

Good Riddance

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

E3 represented everything that was wrong about the games industry. The hype. The focus on graphics. The sexualisation. The sequelisation. The CG sell. The marketers.

Playing a video game can be a serene repose from the world, not unlike a quiet read of a good book. But you'd never gather than from the Festival of the Casual Gamer that was E3. There games are presented like six-packs and waxed over automobiles. E3 was like an arms or car show. Games deserve better.

Gamespot is reporting it as well

[Suddenly_Dead]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6154897.html

Well, there goes that.

They actually HAD something like that recently...

[Svartalf]

...I was just broke and couldn't attend. It was called the Texas Independent Games Development Conference and it had all kinds of people that were sponsoring the thing- according to the promoters, it was a stunning success and they're doing it again next year (And I HOPE to be able to attend the next time...). It was intended for Texas indie studios for the large part, but it's a good start in the right direction- and I don't think we need to see something like GDC or E3 (GDC's good for meeting up with the tech companies supplying the resources to make the games happen and seeing the people face- but if it were to shrink or go away, it'd only be mildly annoying. E3, on the other hand... That was a massive resource sink, in all honesty- it may be that it is its time to go.)

Re:What will it become?

[KDR_11k]

Or perhaps Computer and Console Convention, Press Only?

(if you don't get it, abbreviate that)

It's Because they Banned Booth Babes

[Ryouga3]

I'm not joking about this(see title). Booth babes are tremendously important to bringing in customers, and if E3 sends the message that they're taking a puritanical attitude, they only tick off the vendors who spend lots of money to set up booths, and discourage people from coming to the show.

on a more serious note

[bitt3n]

if there are any out-of-work booth babes out there who need a place to stay while they're getting back on their feet, my basement apartment, several bulk packages of Ho-Hos, and a rack of size-2 Seven of Nine uniforms is available to provide you with shelter, food and clothing during this trying ordeal.