E3 2009 returns to the old format

[Julius Seeker]

Well somewhat, it will be partially open to the public again with a 40,000 person cap This is mostly due to the fact that the past couple of E3s have been failures; and people at the end of the last show were essentially ready for it to die.

[Zeus]

Well somewhat, it will be partially open to the public again with a 40,000 person cap This is mostly due to the fact that the past couple of E3s have been failures; and people at the end of the last show were essentially ready for it to die.

'Bout time they opened it to the public.....

Are they capping it at 40,000 or just expecting that many? I can't imagine why they'd wanna cap it.

Basically what they're doing is just adding in 2 days for fans (Friday and Saturday) after the regular show. I'm hoping the developers and publishers are ready for a 5-day marathon. Even the TGS is only 3 days, isn't it?

[Julius Seeker]

TGS is 4 days; 2 public and 2 private. GC is 5 days though.

[Chris]

Well somewhat, it will be partially open to the public again with a 40,000 person cap This is mostly due to the fact that the past couple of E3s have been failures; and people at the end of the last show were essentially ready for it to die.

'Bout time they opened it to the public.....

Are they capping it at 40,000 or just expecting that many? I can't imagine why they'd wanna cap it.

Basically what they're doing is just adding in 2 days for fans (Friday and Saturday) after the regular show. I'm hoping the developers and publishers are ready for a 5-day marathon. Even the TGS is only 3 days, isn't it?

so that's a marathon cnvention? man gamers are fucking pansies.

[Zeus]

Well somewhat, it will be partially open to the public again with a 40,000 person cap This is mostly due to the fact that the past couple of E3s have been failures; and people at the end of the last show were essentially ready for it to die.

'Bout time they opened it to the public.....

Are they capping it at 40,000 or just expecting that many? I can't imagine why they'd wanna cap it.

Basically what they're doing is just adding in 2 days for fans (Friday and Saturday) after the regular show. I'm hoping the developers and publishers are ready for a 5-day marathon. Even the TGS is only 3 days, isn't it?

so that's a marathon cnvention? man gamers are fucking pansies.

Unlike the comic guys, gamers tend to have lives they want to get back to :-)

It's more for the developers needing to get back to their games. A lot of them see E3 demos and stuff as a nuisance as it takes their time away from making the game. Take into account the tight deadlines so many face and you can see how they may not want to be there for an extra day or two.

[Julius Seeker]

October 22, 2008 - On Monday, rumors quickly spread that E3 2009 would be taking place in early June and a few changes were being made to the show format. Unfortunately, we had no official word directly from the ESA confirming these reports -- until now.

The ESA sent out a press release today confirming that E3 2009 will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center next year starting on June 2nd and running through June 4th. The press release refers to the upcoming show as an "expanded E3" and CEO of the ESA Michael D. Gallagher notes that "videogames are the fastest growing and most compelling sector of the entertainment industry... this upgraded event will reflect the growth, innovation and excitement of our industry."

We were able to speak briefly over the phone with ESA representative Dan Hewitt, who graciously confirmed these details and commented on the recent online speculations. Hewitt noted that the reports that the show would be open to the public were not accurate. He stated, instead, that "E3 2009 will be open to all credentialed press, including retailers and industry analysts." He also mentioned that people should "be sure to keep on eye on what's announced during the show," as it will apparently set the stage for the rest of the year.

[Zeus]

Basically, it's EXACTLY as it was before. There should be a big sign there next year that says "E3 2009: Sorry 'bout our brain fart"

[Julius Seeker]

It was more or less Sony's fault the show folded two years ago; of course, they're on much better feet next year then they were back then. Next year works well for the Industry; with two years now behind the developers with the next gen systems available, developers are going to have a lot of really great software available.