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E3 2009 Announced

by Jared Rosenberg - October 22, 2008, 8:57 pm EDT
Total comments: 20 Source: Press Release

Next year's Electronic Entertainment Expo will feature larger booths and a greatly increased attendance.

Select members of the games industry such as Sony Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida and Sim City creator Will Wright have recently been outspoken about E3's diminishing importance. The hallways of E3 2008 were described by many as evoking feelings of a ghost town and major publisher Activision Blizzard decided not to attend. Today, the Entertainment Software Association announced that E3 2009 will be held at the Los Angeles Center and that it will feature a number of changes to help bring the show back to its former prominence.

While E3 2009 will not be open to the public as rumors predicted, it will have a much larger turn out than the previous two shows where attendees needed invitations. The ESA has said that the new and improved show "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."

There will be a larger number of companies who can exhibit their products at next year's show. It is also expected that booth sizes will be increased. John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts, stated that, "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."

E3 2009 will be held from June 2nd to June 4th.

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.

Talkback

EnnerOctober 23, 2008

"The more things change, the more they stay the same," isn't it?

Gald to see that the ESA has realized that having a big show is a nice treat for the industry to have and that E3 2006 only needed a little toning down.

KDR_11kOctober 23, 2008

I wonder if this'll really pan out now that other shows have grown in response.

AVOctober 23, 2008

Good, however I wonder if E3 is dead regardless of what they do since so many other events during the year .

GoldenPhoenixOctober 23, 2008

Should be interesting to see what Nintendo does now that the show appears to be going back to normal. Will they continue to see it as an event for casual gamers?

I think they definitely will next year, and if the show really is back to its former greatness (Dare I hope?) they may do more with traditional games in 2010, assuming there is an E3 in 2010.

NinGurl69 *hugglesOctober 23, 2008

E3 is a glorified Rick Roll.

With more booth space and babes, I expect the Rolling to be more extravagant each year.

There's no word that booth babes will return... I for one hope they do not.  Anything that takes away from our ability to WORK at E3 is bad for the show and bad for our coverage.

GoldenPhoenixOctober 23, 2008

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

There's no word that booth babes will return... I for one hope they do not.  Anything that takes away from our ability to WORK at E3 is bad for the show and bad for our coverage.

Not to mention the objectification of women for gamer's entertainment.

ShyGuyOctober 23, 2008

I'm almost curious enough to want to attend next year. I guess it all hinges on the booth babe situation. It doesn't hinge on the booth babe situation

Nintendo couldn't show dickety-six titles on the floor this year, like they have in the past. That was a good reason to focus pretty much exclusively on their new, "casual" market. I also suspect that approach was convenient for them because it doesn't look like they were quite ready to announce Punch Out, S&P2, or even the new Pikmin (which they did announce) at E3.

Also, E3 has demonstrated that communism doesn't work by rejecting its own "fair playing field" approach. :P

ShyGuyOctober 24, 2008

TYP, during trying times such as these, your stand against communism is appreciated. Now, what's your vote on the booth babes situation? Yay or Nay?

Booth Babes = YES

I think I'll attend this show, although I don't know what they're solving by going back to this format.  It sounds like it'll be almost the same, except with (supposedly) stricter admission guidelines.

Bob Dole approves of Bob Dole and cares not either way about booth babes.

D_AverageOctober 24, 2008

Don't Booth Babes help you with the controls?  What's wrong with that?

UltimatePartyBearOctober 24, 2008

Quote from: D_Average

Don't Booth Babes help you with the controls?  What's wrong with that?

And when it comes to Wii games, I imagine waggle translates to jiggle fairly directly.

I am only as ashamed of this post as I need to be to avoid getting slapped.

BeautifulShyOctober 24, 2008

E for all isn't coming back this year

How is this related to E3 2009? Well since E3 is coming back there really isn't need for E for all.

D_AverageOctober 24, 2008

Quote from: Maxi

E for all isn't coming back this year

How is this related to E3 2009? Well since E3 is coming back there really isn't need for E for all.

E for all is the short bus, and that short bus has just crashed.

Bill AurionOctober 24, 2008

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

There's no word that booth babes will return... I for one hope they do not.  Anything that takes away from our ability to WORK at E3 is bad for the show and bad for our coverage.

I don't really care about the issue, but couldn't you just, you know, IGNORE THEM if you wanted?  Or do you just have no self-control what-so-ever? =)

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