The Gamer's Quarter

ryan · . Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999

http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3538&Itemid=2

"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."

http://www.mcvuk.com/newsitem.php?id=24196

"Most agree that E3 is an excellent event and not in any danger, but in current market conditions it would appear that everything has to be challenged."

Make up your minds!
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Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

I will just say that this seems quite unlikely

We will see on Monday though.
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“The average man has a secret desire to be a swaggering, drunken, fighting, raping swashbuckler.”
-Robert E. Howard in a letter to a friend circa Decmber 1932

"There is no place in this enterprise for a rogue physicist!"

ryan · . Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999

To think, I might have to venture to Baton Rouge to hang out with you! Inconceivable!

I know that in 2005 the trade papers were had a bunch of companies upset at the cost, so I can see, and understand, a more lowkey approach being the way most want it to go. It's also one of the few times you see a concentration of media attention on gaming in a light that's mostly positive, talking about the huge numbers of interested parties, deals being done, and the general robustness of the industry. I think a break is entirely possible now with PAX being as big as it is and with what seems to be a very organized crew, giving gamers a place to go just to try stuff and talk to reps.
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SuperWes · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject:

Are you implying that PAX is the next E3? Is that even possible?

-Wes
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Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

ryan · . Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999

Wa? BOOOOOOOOOO!

I think PAX is a pretty good base for an alternative to the non-industry attendees. It's not E3 size, with E3 having roughly 6x more people, but I'm talking about splitting the attendees up into those there for business and those there for fun. You don't need nearly the same presentation for press/distributors/publishers as you do for gamers, and the gamers don't require too much to begin with; I think it's the mixing of two is why you see the budgets balloon and the production values going way too high.

As of now, E3 is shrinking and PAX is growing. E3 2006's figures are down 10,000 from 2005, while PAX 2005 was triple that of 2004. While not nearly equal, it does show that the administrative end has actually been preparing for what could be happening - a downshift in one and an increase in the other. This won't happen next year, but the trend (admittedly not enough time/events have passed for a more concrete estimation) indicates that there would be a leveling off within a few years.
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Come to me, Mordel. We shall depart.

simplicio · . Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 1091

Ultimately I'd like to see game shows turn into devs and publishers showing up with videos and playable demos and a speech for their turn on the podium, minus all the bells and whistles which are where the costs are for them, and really only serve to entice big "proper" journalists who aren't much a part of the scene. And if they want to cut the show down to only those types attending I think it's a colossal mistake.

I mean, we're in the age of blog and all; how many of you here learned anything new about E3 with the print magazines that hit two weeks after the show closed? Better and cheaper (and really more thorough) to let the internet fan collective do that work for you, perhaps leaving the big sites and magazines to reproduce the official company line.

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

dessgeega · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:56 pm Post subject:

i can't believe i hadn't gotten wind of this until today.

i guess i kept seeing all these topics with "E3" in the title and said "bah, e3 is a fiasco and i don't care".

little did i know!
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ryan · . Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999

dhex · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:17 am Post subject:

simplicio · . Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 1091

That's what I'm saying; the excess bling doesn't actually attract or inform any of the attendees that do anything to help these companies out. It just draws ridiculous fanboys like moths to a lightbulb. The Nintendo booth didn't have 4 hour lines waiting to see their shiny pavilion; they were there to play with a new console on a screen. They could have ditched the entire 5-6 figure construction cost, made the thing out of plywood and sharpied "Nintendo booth" on the side and gotten the same result. An exaggeration, sure, but really all these companies need is a clean, ordered presentation with some employees standing nearby to answer questions and dish out lite marketing. I'm just not seeing that neon will get you anywhere.

dhex · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:34 am Post subject:

ridiculous fanboys are like the bacteria in a water supply. they seem insignificant and kind of gross, but not only can they get out of hand and cause havoc, but their absence is significantly damaging to an ecosystem as well.

and never, ever overestimate the draw of spectacle. you want people thinking lofty thoughts about your products, to form emotional attachments with your company and your brands, etc.

hey, i think it's fucking weird too, but i don't make the rules. did nintendo need to make that classic character collage that got posted on ic for the wii downloadable content thingamabobby? no. very few modern gamers are going to be able to figure out who's who and what's what, or me for that matter - but for those people who can, those who see "oh shit that's xyz!" an attachment has been made that's both emotional and significant.

and that's worth its nerd weight in gold.
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dark steve · . Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 1110

I don't think that illustration is actually from Nintendo's marketing department, but your point is well taken.

dhex · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject:

shit man, if it's not from nintendo my point is doubly taken. they're doing the marketing for them!
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SuperWes · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:20 pm Post subject:

Here's the press release:

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Entertainment Software Association Announces Evolution of E3Expo for 2007
E3Expo 2007
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."

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It's pretty crazy. I wonder if any of us will be allowed to go next year. I wonder if it will even be worth going to. Sucks.

-Wes
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Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

This is pretty much what I expected. Also, I don't doubt that we will be able to get in... I am more just curious as to what we will find when we get there.
_________________
“The average man has a secret desire to be a swaggering, drunken, fighting, raping swashbuckler.”
-Robert E. Howard in a letter to a friend circa Decmber 1932

"There is no place in this enterprise for a rogue physicist!"

Nana Komatsu · weak sauce Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 1293

Personally, having never been to E3, I think this is a move in the right direction.

Mister Toups · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:56 pm Post subject:

Dracko · . Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613

Good riddance.
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"This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!"

GSL · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:45 am Post subject:

E3 was defeated, but the soul still burns.

All in all, I think this was the way to go, not just for the developers themselves but for gamers everywhere. What does it say about us when our hobby's yearly hype show has devolved into nothing but a parade of homogenous models and flashy lights?

dessgeega · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:51 am Post subject:

history will recognize the gamer's quarter E3 report 2006 as the definitive retrospective on the exposition.
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Persona-sama · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:51 am Post subject:

We should remarket the issue as the "FINAL E3 DEFINITIVE EDITION" issue!

Maybe as a little sticker that we put on all the print copies.
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J.Goodwin · . Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 297 Location: North Shore, MA

SuperWes · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:25 am Post subject:

I was thinking about who this affects this morning. It seems to me like who it affects the most is going to be smaller companies. E3 is the one place where they were given equal footing with the big guys for a fraction of the cost (smaller booth space is much less expensive than big booth space). It sort of sucks for them. I'm going to ask BradyGames later this month what it means for them. They always had a pretty big booth.

The best thing to come out of this is going to be the change in amount and type of pre-E3 news. Instead of saying, "wait for E3!" maybe companies will actually start hyping their games early.

-Wes
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Lestrade · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:56 am Post subject:

Just one question: E3Expo? So it's the Electronic Entertainment Expo Expo?

DonMarco · . Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 349 Location: 33903

No. E3 doesn't stand for anything. Like SEGA. Or Famicom.

It's just a name. A brand. Like Band-aid or Popsicle.
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J.Goodwin · . Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 297 Location: North Shore, MA

J.Goodwin · . Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 297 Location: North Shore, MA

Alc · . Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 109 Location: UK

I think that was pretty much his point. Anyway, while Sega and Famicom get away with it, a name like E3 says to me "there are three Es here, and they stand for something". Calling the new show E3 Expo really grates on my pedant nerves.

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

SuperWes · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:54 pm Post subject:

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

Mister Toups · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject:

DonMarco · . Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 349 Location: 33903

J.Goodwin · . Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 297 Location: North Shore, MA

purplechair · . Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 378 Location: in my pants

I've been on holiday in Scotland for the last few days, totally cut off from the world.

I had the capital idea of going to E3 next year. Blagging an invitation somehow and using some of my recent good fortune to pay for flights and what-not. Go out for a week or two and take in some of the Colonies for myself.

Then I come home and check the RSS ticker tapes and find out they've gutted my dreams.

I AM SAD.

SuperWes · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject:

But wait, there's more! Word on the street is that Nintendo is going to be at E3 next year. That strikes me as a bit odd. I thought them pulling out was one of the reasons it was cancelled. The plot thickens....

-Wes
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SJ · . Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 61 Location: swamp

purplechair · . Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 378 Location: in my pants

It bloody better!

dessgeega · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:04 pm Post subject:

boo
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DonMarco · . Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 349 Location: 33903

J.Goodwin · . Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 297 Location: North Shore, MA

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

helicopterp · . Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 1435 Location: Philadelphia

OtakupunkX · . Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 730

So if Nintendo's the only consolemaker showing at E3 does that mean they win by default?

I like this game.

Dracko · . Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613

I think it means they don't know any better and the only way they can pass off as a respectable company is with show business.

Like a carnival.
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"This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!"

helicopterp · . Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 1435 Location: Philadelphia

OtakupunkX · . Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 730

If Nintendo's a carnival than does that make Reggie Fills-Aime a carnie?

Dracko · . Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613

Dog-Boy, Atlas, Half-Man, the geeks, the hired hands, there was not one among them that did not cast an eye behind, in the hope that the carny would return to his own kind.
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"This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!"