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E3 Continues Downward Spiral
Gamasutra is reporting that E3 is continuing its downward spiral due to forced downsizing of the show and limitations placed on attendees. While this year's show will be returning to the LA Convention Hall, the size of the show will still remain artificially small, which some are saying is stifling the spirit of the show. "These changes have in part been made to encourage the event as a more useful business event, but most of those interviewed in TheStreet.com article are critical of its continuing usefulness. 'E3 had much more of an impact when it was a show,' comments IGN.com vice president of games content Tal Blevins. 'The video game industry is about fun and entertainment, and we should have a show that reflects it.'"
'The video game industry is about fun and entertainment, and we should have a show that reflects it.'
I can drink to that. It a point that too often missed.
Something starts of small and folks like it. Word gets out that this is a "cool" thing to come to. It gets big. Marketing company/departments see $$. Next thing you know you find yourself paying for the privilege of watching commercials etc. No more fun.
Seems like a common enough death cycle to me.
If information wants to be free, why does my internet connection cost so much?
I'd just like to point out that this is a talking head at ign.com who's saying this. In other words, someone who doesn't have a clue, and sounds like he's been covering videogames for no longer than a few years. E3 was a business show, until it turned into a circus. There are plenty of video games expos that are about fun and entertainment, and, as many already pointed out, PAX is one of them.
E3 is trying to return to its business roots, and I say it's about high fucking time. GDC is for developers, PAX is for enthusiasts, and there is a need for the business side to have a show. Hopefully, people will forget about E3 long enough for it to get back to its original - and necessary - purpose.
Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
I think the point is: E3 used to be a huge event. Everyone used to count the hours... expecting the new releases, etc... ... to them.
As it is right now, E3 is of no interest to game players, because, frankly, there is not enough noise going on. E3 is just a regular business meeting - or a collection of bussiness meetings, if you will.
It doesn't necessarily mean that E3 is less usefull than it used to be, to game developpers, and I believe it is much more productive in its current incarnation
But, truth is... players need to see big action, big shows; players want to be pleased. And, if E3 doesn't give players what they need, someoneelse eventualy will... THEN, E3 will be in danger, because whatever developers do now at E3, they will have to do at the new expo, I believe - or maybe not, anyway, they will have to attend to two events, which, in the end, might end up beeing a bigger evil.