A Series of Tubes

For any gamer in the world, E3 was the place to be every year when it rolled around. The Electronic Entertainment Expo, an annual convention/tradeshow for everyone in the gaming industry; from the little 3rd party developers, to the massive players (Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft). I remember planning how to get to California, trying to raise the money for a plane ticket, pining away as the date came and left, with me sitting in front of my computer reading about the awesomeness. The gigantic “booths”, the playable demos of games and even consoles never before seen and played by anyone.

Last year’s attendance? 60,000 people. And that was down 10,000 from 05. First-time playables of the Wii and PS3, not to mention the 360.

Why am I going on and on about how huge and good E3 was (and yes, I mean was there)?

Because after last year’s convention, the ESA (Entertainment Software Administration, the group that runs E3) decided to kill it. And it was not a kind, euthanasia-style death. No, the ESA decided to change E3. It would be press-only, and the booths would be much,much smaller. Small enough that it could all fit inside a small hangar. And the press conferences? Microsoft’s was held in a school theater.

Attendance this year? Around 4000. Only 32 companies had booths, from 400 last year.

Even the name is different, E3 Media and Business Summit. Eugh.

ESA, you make me sick. Oh well, there are still other conventions to wish I could be at (yes, that’s right. A convention focused on a webcomic has surpassed E3).