E3 Exhibitor Numbers Dwindling

CVG is reporting on the full list of exhibitors at this year's E3 (now the E3 media Expo), and things are looking quite a bit slimmer than in past years. As you'd expect given the change in tone, the smaller development houses are much thinner on the ground than they used to be. Only 32 companies will be making the trek to Santa Monica, and you can probably name them all off the top of your head. "Most of the big players seem to be there but it's a big way off last year's exhibitor list which exceeded 400. There are also only two independent developers listed, id Software and Foundation 9 Entertainment, which is disappointing seeing as one of the biggest reasons for the down-scale was to give smaller devs a chance in the spotlight. This year's E3 will consist of an exhibit hall in Santa Monica's Barker Hanger as well as company-run demos in nearby hotels. As always third-party press conferences will be held in a common location while platform holders will hold their own bashes - though the big three are yet to make any announcements."

Comments

Barker Hangar? That's moving downscale.

[Animats]

E3 is at Barker Hangar, the big WWII metal Quonset hut at Santa Monica Airport? That's moving downscale from the LA Convention Center. Way downscale. That place is used for flea markets and remainder sales.

"The Barker Hangar venue, a short drive from the hotels, will allow participating companies to showcase their games in standardized, turnkey displays areas ranging from 100 square feet to 400 square feet. All display areas will be developed by show management to ensure that the venue is staged efficiently."

Re:E3 is alive?

[Anonymous Coward]

No it was just changed from an essentially public event to an actual trade show. The arms race between exhibitors for hype was getting in the way of actually accomplishing any business at E3 so they scaled it down. The E for All expo is supposed to replace E3's role as a ridiculous hype festival.

Re:E3 is alive?

[MS-06FZ]

It downsized. (See also this)

The thing is, it's no longer what it was. It's now invitation-only, and much smaller. It's changed so much that it's fundamentally not what it was.