Exploding Garrmondo Weiner Interactive Swiss Army Penis

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-   -   NO MORE E3! (http://www.gamingforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9933)

SketchTheArtist Jul 30, 2006 01:48 PM
NO MORE E3!
 
:eyebrow:

Quote:
Senior industry sources have revealed to Next-Gen.Biz that the E3 industry event, in its present form, has been cancelled for next year and the foreseeable future.

Image The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) shindig has been a staple of game industry life since the mid-1990s. However, we understand the larger exhibitors have jointly decided that the costs of the event do not justify the returns, generally measured in media exposure.

Publishers believe the multi-million dollar budgets would be better spent on more company-focused events that bring attention to their own product lines rather than the industry as a whole.

Well placed sources say the news that larger exhibitors were pulling out had prompted urgent meetings among publishing executives. They decided that, without the support of the larger software publishers and hardware manufacturers, there would be no point in continuing.

ESA president Doug Lowenstein will likely announce the news some time within the next 48 hours, possibly on Monday. It's possible that the ESA will seek to limit the damage by organizing some form of lesser event in May, but it's clear that the days of an industry event attended by all the major publishers, spending big money, are gone.

Calls to ESA staff are not being returned at present.
http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option...=3538&Itemid=2

JazzFlight Jul 30, 2006 01:56 PM
What the fuck.

This is horrible. E3 was always like a mini-Christmas in Spring/Summer that got us all hyped up for future games. Every year I'd anticipate downloading the latest trailers.

Again, this is horrible news. At least we have TGS.

Neogin Jul 30, 2006 01:57 PM
Yeah, I just read about it. This really sucks..

I mean..how can there be a better way to spend your money..? That's so..retarded.

Sir VG Jul 30, 2006 02:06 PM
Well, if companies would stop making retarded games, maybe they'd get better returns from their E3 dollars.

Pretty graphics and booth babes won't win over everybody.

Spatula Jul 30, 2006 02:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JazzFlight
What the fuck.

This is horrible. E3 was always like a mini-Christmas in Spring/Summer that got us all hyped up for future games. Every year I'd anticipate downloading the latest trailers.

Again, this is horrible news. At least we have TGS.
Indeed, when E3 2005 rolled around with the first shots of the PS3 and such, I think I spent basically 6 hours infront of my computer looking over trailers for the PS3/360 over and over again, and spent a few minutes looking at the new "Revolution" back then, now known as the Wii. E3 was a fun experience because you could take part in it from the comfort of your own seat and just be amazed at streamed videos and gaming news.

Simo Jul 30, 2006 02:33 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JazzFlight
What the fuck.

This is horrible. E3 was always like a mini-Christmas in Spring/Summer that got us all hyped up for future games. Every year I'd anticipate downloading the latest trailers.

Again, this is horrible news. At least we have TGS.
Unfortunately not.

TGS is being significantly downsized and merging with 2 other conventions/festivals: TIFF (Tokyo International Film Festival) & TAF (Tokyo Anime Festival) so that all 3 will form the "International Contents Festival".

Spatula Jul 30, 2006 03:07 PM
International Contents Festival? Sounds like a giant Tupperware party.

Stealth Jul 30, 2006 03:16 PM
I'll believe it when I see it. E3 is the biggest gaming thing the entire year. Why bother downsizing it?

It's supposed to be a huge exhibitions for developers and people in the industry to ease up and have fun with what other people are making, not close it off to everyone with just behind the scenes meetings and shit.

Cobalt Katze Jul 30, 2006 03:20 PM
Until an official press release comes out, or more news sites report it, I probably won't believe this article. On the official E3 site, there's already plans for next year's events, as well as nailed-down dates. We'll see what's up on Monday.

Tube Jul 30, 2006 03:22 PM
Obviously, introducing Halo 3 to the recent E3 just caused the whole thing to collapse. You can't expect any event to be able to house such a divine project and remain fully intact. Just too big. Imagine what E307 would be like once there is actually a playable portion of the game ready to go on display. Shit would be chaos.

Little Shithead Jul 30, 2006 03:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tube
Obviously, introducing Halo 3 to the recent E3 just caused the whole thing to collapse. You can't expect any event to be able to house such a divine project and remain fully intact. Just too big. Imagine what E307 would be like once there is actually a playable portion of the game ready to go on display. Shit would be chaos.
"This is how the world ends." more like "This is how E3 ends." am I right or am I right.

Cobalt Katze Jul 30, 2006 03:32 PM
E3 was ransacked by giant enemy crabs. Obviously people didn't attack their weak point for massive damage. A sad story if I ever heard one.

YoMan Jul 30, 2006 03:56 PM
Well this is certainly a shock. E3 has always been a gathering point for me to see new and interesting games under development.

More company events eeh? That could give all those small time companies a fairer chance of exposure, since they tend to get in the shadow of bigger companies during e3. But it could turn both ways, positive or negative.

Ramenbetsu Jul 30, 2006 04:28 PM
I'm not surprised. I know a few writers for the gaming industry and they will tell you that e3 is hell week for them. They have to publish so much shit but can barely find the time for it and usually end up losing sleep over it. They have to wait in long lines (with people who really shouldnt even be there) just to try games etc. This will make coverage for them ALOT easier. When it comes down to it, e3 is slowly for media exposure and if it's smaller its going to be doing just that.

Simo Jul 30, 2006 04:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobalt Katze
Until an official press release comes out, or more news sites report it, I probably won't believe this article. On the official E3 site, there's already plans for next year's events, as well as nailed-down dates. We'll see what's up on Monday.
GameSpot had something up before next-gen.biz posted their article:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6154897.html
Quote:
On July 28, the Web site of UK trade magazine MCV reported discussions had taken place between the ESA and E3 exhibitors which addressed the future of the annual trade show. GameSpot spoke with informed game industry sources late Friday and Saturday and learned that the show would radically shrink in size and move from its usual Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) venue to a smaller location.

Sources said that rather than fill the 540,000 square feet of the cavernous LACC, the show will take place at a location that would support exhibitors in meeting room space only, with companies showing their wares to a select group of attendees numbering in the hundreds rather than thousands.
I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Cirno Jul 30, 2006 04:55 PM
This is unfortunate news. I'd been trying to get to E3 for years now, and to find out that it's practically canned is a major bummer. It was interesting to read about how difficult the week is for journalists, considering that was a field I was interested in entering. Fortunately I have plans to begin my own E3. I'm already making arrangements with Namco and Microsoft.

Brb, Hirai on phone.

Dr. Uzuki Jul 30, 2006 05:18 PM
I think this is fantastic news. Progressively throughout the years, the gaming news flow and focus has more and more exploded in summer and holiday season, seeming to barely exist any other time of year. I was not a fan of the overflow of all at once information. I didn't like that projects were made or broken from an arbitrary appearance at the event involving rushed products or missed deadlines. Companies can go back to holding press conferences for big announcements and detailed exclusives and interviews to put a focus individual projects.

Aardark Jul 30, 2006 05:52 PM
Yes, these are good news. The gaming industry is past the stage where it needs an event like this to draw attention to it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neogin
I mean..how can there be a better way to spend your money..? That's so..retarded.
I don't understand this statement/question.

surasshu Jul 30, 2006 06:22 PM
Not quite, guys.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ars Technica
Sources close to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) tell Ars Technica that the show can and will go on, but that big changes are planned. The "Electronic Entertainment Expo" (hence E3) started in 1995 as a small but interesting annual convention for gaming, following roughly six months after the once-popular annual COMDEX computer trade-show in Las Vegas. The show has grown immensely in popularity, and that appears to be the problem.

Sources say that two major factors have led to the decision to transition the show to a more "closed-door" event. Both, coincidentally, were major reasons for COMDEX shutting down: cost and access. If you've never been to E3, let me describe it like this: long lines, truckloads of people, video games everywhere, and really fancy "booths" (where booth sometimes means basketball court-sized display area). As with COMDEX, the major players are reportedly tired of how much it costs to put on the dog and pony show. Turns out it costs millions of dollars to put the sparkle into an E3 blingfest.

Now in theory, these shows are primarily geared towards connecting businesspeople. To that end, E3 was (again, in theory) only open to industry folks and journalists. In recent years, however, the number of people attending have skyrocketed, in part because E3 registration was a moderately open process. The show was getting huge, and just as with COMDEX, the show-within-a-show was born. What I mean by that is that it was no longer enough to go to the show. To talk to someone who actually knew what they were talking about, you'd need an appointment. To see something really special, really worth writing about, you'd need to meet behind closed doors. To find out anything of interest about something that wasn't on a placard, you needed to get in with the right people. With COMDEX the practice started to get ridiculous; major players officially skipped the show but set up camp in Vegas hotels and had their sideshows for a fraction of the cost.

One source I spoke with told me that media access is indeed a problem, but it probably does not factor in greatly to the decision to downsize the show. Nevertheless, there are plenty of complaints from insiders about how "blogging" in particular has made the shows more difficult, if only because floor people are instructed to speak only of what they are approved to speak of, lest another half-baked headline make the rounds.
Linkinating the countryside.

Now, this, I can agree with. It would be a disaster for the industry if E3 shattered into dozens of fragments of circle-jerk parties, mostly for people looking for contacts, jobs, or publishers. However, that is already happening to some extend with all the exclusive, closed-door parties and such going on.

Last year they already tightened the noose significantly compared to the previous year with respects to getting in easily. A lot of my friends were unable to prove their industry association, and they were people who got in without a hitch last year.

I'll wait for more news before finalising any opinion, but I approve anything that will make the lines less insane. =D

Slayer X Jul 30, 2006 06:42 PM
Well it seems that nothing has been said for sure yet, but it definatly is not looking good. But I can't say that I'm too surprised that this happened with how fast the trade show has been growing over the past five years, which has been too much for the show to handle. And to make it worse is that it was pretty much the only North American gaming trade show which means that we only really have the Japanese game shows remaining.

I guess this means that we'll no longer be getting sneak peaks of hardware before it releases anymore unless TGS becomes the next E3. Which means that we'll only be seeing the stuff via Gamespot and IGN feeds.

Kairi Li Jul 30, 2006 06:50 PM
Concerning TGS, I'll just quote Simo.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Simo
Unfortunately not.

TGS is being significantly downsized and merging with 2 other conventions/festivals: TIFF (Tokyo International Film Festival) & TAF (Tokyo Anime Festival) so that all 3 will form the "International Contents Festival".
So we have no more major gameshows left.

God why...

garthvadr3 Jul 30, 2006 07:04 PM
oh man I am so sad to hear this news. E3 is like my second christmas, well except I get no presents, but I spend like 5 hours a day at IGN watching and downloading videos, reading, and looking at new pics. So sad, I really hope this is just a bad rumor, but its probably true. :(

SouthJag Jul 30, 2006 07:04 PM
I'm not really bothered by this all that much. If it's truly costing companies millions of dollars to put up this Westminster of gaming shows, then sure. I'd rather them spend millions of dollars a.) reducing the cost of games or b.) making games worth $60 a piece. Sorry but having a gigantic booth up for the next Finding Nemo game isn't worth it. :/

On the other hand, it'll be sad to see such huge E3 productions for Zelda, Final Fantasy, God of War, even Halo go by the wayside. But if those dollars go in to putting these games out faster and better, then by all means.

Grundlefield Earth Jul 30, 2006 07:08 PM
Yeah 2007 would be a disaster for any other company besides bungie so they no doubt just decided to cancel it. I agree with Tube.

Anyways I will miss it I guess.

Technophile Jul 30, 2006 07:28 PM
If it's being canceled mainly for loss of money spent on boothes, couldn't they get a much larger floor space, open it to the general masses, and charge admission?

Kairi Li Jul 30, 2006 07:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technophile
If it's being canceled mainly for loss of money spent on boothes, couldn't they get a much larger floor space, open it to the general masses, and charge admission?
Thats what I like to know, wouldn't that be a simple solution? TGS has done it all this time.

Infernal Monkey Jul 30, 2006 10:46 PM
If it's money they're worried about, they should just hold in an old gutted ice cream van. Four 34cm TVs set up, the latest video game machines hooked up to them via RF, maybe a My First Rappin' Fun Time microphone taped to the mono speaker to pick up the rich audio and boom it out of a nearby portable radio covered in paint and dust.

Everyone gets five minutes, then the janitor whacks you in the knees with his mop until you move on and let the next person have a go. Perhaps the janitors wife could stand around and pose a bit, just hope her teeth don't fall out as the camera goes off! E3 swag? They could have some some bins full of one hundred percent real garbage!

"Get your Phantom cola, get your Phantom cola!"
"But, but this is just a soiled pair of undies"
"AND YOU ONLY GET ONE, NOW GET OUT"

Rybanis Jul 30, 2006 11:40 PM
As it has been said before around the internets...I'm sure EA had something to do with it.

Burp Jul 31, 2006 03:51 AM
Dont worry guys, they will made it again, but with another name and much less money, thats for sure.

Elixir Jul 31, 2006 06:01 AM
Well, if I remember E3 this year, they didn't have booth babes. That was pretty pointless and I don't think that changed anything, but it's the first sign of budget cuts.

I'm not sure how E3 2k7 would work. By that time, the PS3 and Wii will be released, so the surge of information would be huge. They're probably smart to pull out beforehand. I'm not really phased since we're on the internet. There's places like gametrailers and gamespot for information, and anyone with half a brain can visit them.

Malmer Jul 31, 2006 08:14 AM
E3 has just become too damn big. It's no more an exclusive glimpse of the gaming underground and what is to come, than it has become a my dick is bigger showoff comedyshow.

Oh, and the booth babes was banned because the focus was diverted from what it's actually all about.

Wall Feces Jul 31, 2006 08:19 AM
Eh, I always found E3 to be a fun time to be on the internets, but I won't be entirely too distraught to see it go. It's not like I go there. I get all the info I need from IGN during the show anyway. And I don't know why the journalists in the industry are bitching about it being too much work for them, their fucking job is to play video games and write about them. They need to get over it and quit bitching.

Kesubei Jul 31, 2006 08:57 AM
I'll be pretty disppointed if E3 does go. Though I never went there, getting all that info in a short period is alot of fun. It's definitely one of my favorite times of the year.

While having each company hold its own event is great for the company, it won't get nearly as much interest as E3 would. Microsoft and EA spend alot on their yearly events, but no one cares.

Kilroy Jul 31, 2006 10:52 AM
Crap if it closes. I wanted to try it out, but haven't got the opportunity yet. Budget cuts wouldn't be bad though. Booth babes was distracting, and all the silly teenagers who should be there do to their jobs in Game's R Us and various game stores really didn't help. What about returning the expo to the roots? ONLY journalists and developers?

Aardark Jul 31, 2006 11:06 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by sprouticus
And I don't know why the journalists in the industry are bitching about it being too much work for them, their fucking job is to play video games and write about them.
So… what's your point? That anyone who plays video-games could be a good game journalist, and their job is extremely easy? That's about as true as game tester being some sort of a dream job.

Simo Jul 31, 2006 01:06 PM
The official word...
Quote:
Entertainment Software Association Announces Evolution of E3Expo for 2007
Monday July 31, 1:46 pm ET

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.

The ESA is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. ESA members collectively account for more than 90 percent of the $7 billion in entertainment software sales in the U.S. in 2005, and billions more in export sales of entertainment software. For more information about the ESA, please visit www.theESA.com.


Contact:

Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
Stacey Wade, 202-223-2400
swade@theesa.com

Cobalt Katze Jul 31, 2006 02:15 PM
So essentially, it'll be becoming slightly more similar to GDC but for the media?

Sounds like we'll still get all the cool info we usually get, but no booth babes, convention hall, or wacky publicity stunts (see: NCSoft).

Acro-nym Jul 31, 2006 02:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobalt Katze
Sounds like we'll still get all the cool info we usually get, but no booth babes, convention hall, or wacky publicity stunts (see: NCSoft).
The information is all I want out of it, especially since I expect Nintendo and Sony to have a fair amount of information to provide next year, mainly in regards to their new consoles' upcoming games. So, in short, this sounds like a welcome change to me.

Wall Feces Jul 31, 2006 03:43 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aardork
So… what's your point? That anyone who plays video-games could be a good game journalist, and their job is extremely easy?
Are you being serious? My point is, they don't exactly have it as tough as they're making it out to be. They have a few really rough weeks out of the whole year, and during that week, they get to play all the new games and then write about them. That's a pretty gnarly job if you ask me.

rockthepartay Jul 31, 2006 04:58 PM
Video game journalists can moan and complain as much as they want, but they have it extremely easy compared to regular newspaper journalists.

As for E3, it is unfortunate. However, if they do plan on just using the event to release information without all of the flair, then I'm fine with it.

soapy Jul 31, 2006 05:05 PM
At least they're not in Iraq covering the event. I knew an editor at Gamespot, besides being sleep deprived for a week and not being able to go to parties, overall, it's a really nice job if you're into that kind of stuff. It's not glamourous, but yeah, they really can't complain.

I'm kind of glad they're downsizing. I heard that some of the major players at E3 are backing out next year since they aren't making money. Well, if they didn't take up frickin' half the floor space.... at least now an "appointment" would actually be a sit down appointment vs here's the game, that guy over there will show you how to play it.

GDC might be the place to be, which I don't mind since it's closer ;) I'm actually looking forward to E3 if it's going to be scaled back, maybe then I'll get a chance to actually check out stuff from smaller developers instead of having to go around the crowds hovering around Sony.

nanstey Jul 31, 2006 05:37 PM
Well, all I can say is that it's the end of a kind of half dream for me - I'd always wanted to go there, but maybe it's is just gotten too big for it's britches. In any case, if it gives game companies more time to work properly and not have to worry so much aobut getting content ready for the show, it might be a good thing. But at the same time, having shows where you could show content to vast audiences like that really lends the industry a sense of legitimacy that might otherswise be lacking.

surasshu Jul 31, 2006 06:17 PM
It seems they changed the name to E3Expo now. I guess their redundancy check is switched off.

Joystiq link.

Electronic Entertainment Expo... Expo. Yeah.

Jurassic Park Chocolate Raptor Jul 31, 2006 06:48 PM
The real question is if this is a sign of portent about the industry as a whole (which could do with some significant downsizing, I admit), or if this is just because the major supporters ended up spending millions for what amounted to relatively weak advertising and PR. (Especially in the case of Sony this year).

Oh well. I'm sure fan-shows like PAX and the gaming section of stuff like comicon will grow to at least somewhat fill up this void.

Edit:

It is interesting to note though that there are theories flying about that the main groups who pushed the ESA into downsizing the show are also the ones who got the worst PR this year. People are saying that with a smaller show, you can control who has access to what content and only allow a site to have an exclusive in exchange for a positive reaction to it.

I never thought of it that way, and I'd prefer not to, but it's also something that could theoretically take place. I guess we'll have to wait and see if such fears are warranted.

Slayer X Jul 31, 2006 10:10 PM
Well it seems that the board of E3 has come to a final conclusion on the issue. It seems that while there will NOT be an E3 anymore, it will still live on, just in a different form that's all. Instead of a huge floor where no one EVER got to see everything due to the masses of sweaty obsticales blocking your every move, E3 will now take place simply on the internet for EVERYONE to enjoy.

While this will suck for the few who actually were able to go to E3 every year, this will benefeit the general public. And personally this is how I've experianced E3 every year anyway. This just means that I will no longer have to pay for a membership to IGN in order to get decent resolution coverage of the show.

For more info go here -> http://www.theesa.com/archives/2006/...mmediate_r.php
*This post has not been spell checked*

Cal Jul 31, 2006 10:28 PM
Good riddance to a scam with all the fibre and substance of a Big Mac. I guess we'll have to wait a coupla weeks longer for news of those killer apps worth 7/10 that end up launching eighteen months late anyhow.

No. Hard Pass. Jul 31, 2006 11:19 PM
http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2006/20060731.jpg

THIEF Jul 31, 2006 11:32 PM
Oh well. I wish I could've at least gone to one E3 but now my dream will not be realized.

Chairman Kaga Aug 1, 2006 12:18 AM
Does that mean we don't have to put up with the "who won E3 this year?" crap anymore? Good!

Infernal Monkey Aug 1, 2006 12:43 AM
Hideo Kojima won't be happy, he'll be stuck with the Tokyo Game Show to show off his next three hour movie of MGS4's new features! TGS is nothing compared to E3!

"As you can see here Solid Snake now has seventy thousand more polygons in his eyelids"
"WOW TAMAGOTCHI 2!"

ShinBojack Aug 1, 2006 05:52 PM
What a damn shame.

And of course this occurs on the rare day where I don't even go online, so needless to say I was shocked when I heard about it on my DVR'd Attack of the Show (yes, of course not the best source, but it just goes to show how out of the loop I was).

While yes, it can benefit the industry by giving the game developers more time to perfect their craft, and not to rush out a "fluff" trailer or demo, thus giving us a better product in the end. Though I have to say, I always looked forward to May and how the gaming industry literally stopped and had all of its' attention to the E3 expo and what information could leak out of it.

And here I was planning on going next year too...but if it's as downsized as feared, I won't even be allowed to go in, I fear.

You shall be missed, E3.

Kairi Li Aug 2, 2006 02:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey
Hideo Kojima won't be happy, he'll be stuck with the Tokyo Game Show to show off his next three hour movie of MGS4's new features! TGS is nothing compared to E3!

"As you can see here Solid Snake now has seventy thousand more polygons in his eyelids"
"WOW TAMAGOTCHI 2!"
Since some people don't bothere reading posts here, I'll quote it AGAIN!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Simo
Unfortunately not.

TGS is being significantly downsized and merging with 2 other conventions/festivals: TIFF (Tokyo International Film Festival) & TAF (Tokyo Anime Festival) so that all 3 will form the "International Contents Festival".
In short, there are no longer any major huge game shows that just focuses in games, at all. None.


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