E3 2009 Officially Announced

[Psykoboy2]

It was rumored earlier in the week, but now it's official.

The Electronics Entertainment Expo for 2009 will be expanded and moved up from the previous two years. The details are still a bit sketchy on who can attend, but it seems that the attendance restrictions are going to be more lax for next year. It isn't completely open to the public, but for 2009, as the press release states, all qualified video game and computer industry audiences will be welcome to attend. That includes international and U.S.-based media along with analysts, retailers, developers and business partners. For the previous 2 years the only way to go to E3 was by invitation only.

It'll be held at the LA Convention Center, just as before, and take place June 2nd through the 4th.

Source - Team Xbox, Press Release

[Psykoboy2]

Press Release:

Entertainment Software Association Announces 2009 E3 Expo

Los Angeles to Host Video Game Industry Event in June

Washington, DC – October 22, 2008 – The 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will take place from June 2-4, 2009, at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. The expanded E3 will welcome all qualified computer and video game industry audiences, including international and U.S.-based media, analysts, retailers, developers and business partners to preview the latest in interactive entertainment and technology.

“Video games are the fastest growing and most compelling sector of the entertainment industry. And, this upgraded event will reflect the growth, innovation and excitement of our industry,” said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, which represents US computer and video game publishers and organizes the annual event. “The breadth, scope and quality of the changes made to the show will make E3 the must-attend event of the year.”

“The E3 Expo will be the pre-eminent North American gaming show next year. The new, larger event is better for industry leaders and for serious gamers,” commented John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts.

After conducting both qualitative and quantitative research, ESA officials stated changes were necessary to better meet the needs of both exhibitors and attendees— these changes include increased booth sizes, increased qualified audiences, and an intensified focus on reinforcing the high-octane growth, innovation, and captivating entertainment that are driving the computer and video game industry.

"The video game business will be twice as big in 2009 as it was in 2006 when we had the last real E3 Expo - so get ready for some fireworks!" said Laurent Detoc, president of Ubisoft North America. "The changes made will ensure that the 2009 E3 Expo conveys the best of what makes us proud as entertainment leaders."

ESA also said IDG World Expo, whose principals have operated E3 since its inception in 1995, will produce the event with the ESA.

The event will be open to ESA members and non-members alike. Organizers noted they are expanding the list of companies eligible to participate. Companies involved in console, PC, online, and mobile game publishing and developing, qualified business partners, as well as makers of video game hardware and peripherals can exhibit.

Additional details, including registration, hotel and travel accommodations, and media credentialing, will be forthcoming in the next few weeks and will be available at www.e3expo.com.

The Entertainment Software Association is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), business and consumer research, federal and state government relations, First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com.

[Sandman]

Tempting....but I'll be saving for PAX in June.

[quidmonkey]

Intel line, Mortal Kombat line - which to choose?

[Loki_09]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

That includes international and U.S.-based media along with analysts, retailers, developers and business partners.

So for your typical gamer, he/she's still sh*t outta luck if they want to get in E3. Not that it matters much for me, as its typically a West Coast thing and I'm not flying across the country for a convention anytime soon.

[Psykoboy2]

Well, I'm glad they are more spaced out now. Going from E3 in late July to PAX in late August wasn't much time to recover. Nor was it much time to see any difference in games seen at E3 and then again at PAX.

It'll be interesting in 2010 when PAX East is held in Spring sometime...and then E3 in June (maybe?) and then PAX West in August.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Loki_09

So for your typical gamer, he/she's still sh*t outta luck if they want to get in E3. Not that it matters much for me, as its typically a West Coast thing and I'm not flying across the country for a convention anytime soon.

Start an analyst site and throw up a post per month and I bet they let you in.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

Well, I'm glad they are more spaced out now. Going from E3 in late July to PAX in late August wasn't much time to recover. Nor was it much time to see any difference in games seen at E3 and then again at PAX.

It'll be interesting in 2010 when PAX East is held in Spring sometime...and then E3 in June (maybe?) and then PAX West in August.

PAX East will be in Spring? Depending on the Mania location for 2010 I might just be sticking to PAX Classic.

[Loki_09]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

Start an analyst site and throw up a post per month and I bet they let you in.

I think I'd rather just wait for PAX East. I'd really like to go to one, never been. Sounds like a blast.

[J Arcane]

So after all that bullshit about stripping down E3, they've gone right back to the same size and requirements as before?

Dumbasses.

[Mot Wakorb]

So, wait... now all the major product announcements will happen at E3 again - will they bring that kind of thing to the PAX party, or does this hurt PAX as a whole because of it?

[Ondo]

It still seems possible (though not probable) that N'Gai Croal was right and they'll later announce two more days tacked on the end that are open to the public.

Actually, checking his article again it now has this:

We've spoken with four additional sources since our original post went live, and it appears that our original source's statement that there would be an extra two days specifically set aside for the public--Friday June 5th and Saturday June 6th--may have been incorrect. We're working to pin that down, and as soon as we find out, we'll whip up another post.

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by Mot Wakorb

So, wait... now all the major product announcements will happen at E3 again - will they bring that kind of thing to the PAX party, or does this hurt PAX as a whole because of it?

Who knows, they could still have the Gamer Days in May they've had the past couple years to show off all the stuff to the press before E3 in July.

One thing for sure is Activision Blizzard will not participate unless they come back into the ESA. id might be in on that as well.

[Doctor Setebos]

So, it still exists.

The question now: is it still relevant?

[Rogue_hunter]

Figures, during finals week.

But my offer is still open to the staff, I can definitely make it down there to help cover stuff.
And if there is the two "open" days, a SoCal CoG meetup would also work well.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Mot Wakorb

So, wait... now all the major product announcements will happen at E3 again - will they bring that kind of thing to the PAX party, or does this hurt PAX as a whole because of it?

It all depends. Most of the publishers were backing out of the ESA this year and it was expected that more would follow for next year. Given that E3 has changed each time for the past 3 years now, it's really uncertain how things will unfold with devs and publishers.

However, the bottom line of thing is this: NOTHING hurts PAX.

[Zanzibar]

July is good. Lets developers show off their beta versions before Christmas instead of whipping up a 'special' version for E3. 2 months may not seem like a lot, but it is, particularly since most betas are tested relatively thoroughly before submission to the publishers - so there won't need to be much of a 'double-dip' of testing resources on an E3-only build.

EDIT: Ah, crap, just saw it was JUNE. Crud, that's almost entirely useless.

[Zero]

I'm gonna apply to try to go.

[AliasRomanian]

This is a smart move for them and probably the only thing that could have saved E3. I miss the ol' days where every big release was announced here.

[Dukefrukem]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Tempting....but I'll be saving for PAX in June.

Can I ask why?