Here's an update on the E3 news we saw about E3 possibly getting fragged. The ESA threw out a press release that said:
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.
Meaning no more strolls up and down the LA Convention center eyeing the new consoles, and no more playing with all the weird gaming gadgetry down in the bowels of Kentia Hall. The media is going to have to rely on smaller, more dispersed press events—of which E3 will be one—to catch all the news on what's coming up. Instead of one giant update, showing the community what's in store for the next year, there's going to be periodic updates held worldwide. Is this better? We'll see.
Full press release after the jump.
ESA: E3 Changing, No Large Show Floor [Kotaku]
ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES EVOLUTION OF E3EXPO FOR
2007Washington, DC (July 31, 2006) - 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.