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I’ve been to every Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) save for one (I was having too much fun in Thailand and accidentally stayed there). E3 has changed a lot over the years. When it first started, console and PC games dominated the show. As the PC market declined and the console market boomed, it became all about the latter. Journalists for enthusiasts videogame outlets were shocked by the emphasis on motion at E3 2010; all the casual games for Kinect, Move, and Wii had several people proclaiming that the unofficial theme of E3 2010 was “It’s Not for You!”.
E3 2011 has more changes in store. The popularity of Android, iOS, and Facebook games has changed the market. I was surprised by how many meeting requests I received from mobile and social game publishers. I understand that these segments of gaming offer the most new opportunities, the most growth, and new money, but I was still surprised by all the cash these publishers are dropping on E3 2011.
Sitting back in my rocking chair and smoking my pipe, it’s fun to think about how E3 has changed over the years. How about for you as a gaming enthusiast? Have you noticed any major changes in E3? How has the show changed for you? Do you still see it as the Super Bowl of gaming? Or have events like PAX taken away some of E3’s luster?
I hadn't ever paid attention to E3 until this gen. I think the first one I noticed was in 2006.
E3 has lost its luster since I no longer rely on print to get the best gaming info. I miss that since now we see a bunch of guys who at least outwardly look as if they have no idea what makes one game different from another. I'm conjuring images of the MS team playing "The Movies" or Nintendo trying their hardest in years past (excluding Iwota) to show how "fun" something is. The best is Kaz trying to tell me to buy a 3Dtv just to play games to their full effect. I own a 3Dtv now and do not plan on playing my games in 3D.
The other thing that bothers me about E3 are the people who cover it who do nothing but bitch and moan about what hard work it is. Do your job. People do not read about one of their favorite pasttimes or hobbies to hear you bitch about walking around a convention surrounded by videogames. Then that person goes on to write about getting wasted at a party with loads of food.
….Kinda sounds like a normal business convention!
I've never understood people that complain and whine about attending E3. It's such a fun and awesome spectacle. It's also much better than coal mining.
PAX is the bomb and made for gamers. I have not been as fortunate as you to attend E3 let alone multiple times lol.
I remember picking up EGM (can't remember any other magazine names from back then but I read them all) and seeing hot chicks, cool gadgets, and awesome games. I think for a combination of reasons that E3 hasn't changed at all, it is us.
E3 is still doing what is has been doing since day one, showcasing upcoming electronic gadgets and trinkets for consumers. We don't like all the attention that casual games are getting but E3 is about keeping up with the times.
We are now in a super minority when it comes to our gaming habits and preferences. Casual and social games are growing much faster than "traditional" gaming and the folks that run the show know this.
I still don't like it!
It's gonna get even worse for you when you hit 314 months.
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I linked a vid to your FB. Watch and enjoy sir.
I forgot to add the internet is a huge reason why E3 has lost some of it's luster for me.
A few E3s back there was a show where the public wasn't invited. Peter Moore was still with MS and G4 cut to commercial during game trailers. Aside from G4 doing that, it's one of the better shows of recent memory in my opinion.
The public has never been invited to E3.
@Ray
Insert press then.
The press has always been invited too. I'm not sure what you're remembering.
I looked it up. They switched venues. I knew there was something different. Sorry.
Ah, you're talking about when E3 went "small" in Santa Monica. I enjoyed those shows. They were easier to work and Santa Monica is more fun than downtown LA. The show actually started in LA, moved to Atlanta for a few years, moved back to LA, moved to Santa Monica, and moved back to LA. Personally, I wish it were in Vegas — it's a much better town for a convention, it would be easier to get blackmail material, and I could have another incident that was totally Hangover before Hangover came out.
I think they should try E3 in NOLA. Lots to do and get in trouble with.
The problem with NOLA is the airport. Not enough international flights for people coming in from Asia and Europe.
@Ray
Yeah. It gets over come for other conventions and events though. Shrug
Sure, but E3 has a lot of important attendees coming in from Japan and Korea. One of the reasons it moved back to LA was to accommodate Asian executives and attendees.
Understandable. I think it would work if they tried. It would be crazy fun as well. Be nice for the industry to spread the love.
Hulk Hogan will be at E3 for his Kinect game. Sweet.
Didn't you say something about that game being a bad, cheap cash-in that was not even worth mentioning?
-M
Yes, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to meet HIM again.
Off to the Konami presser. Perhaps the company forgot the E3 is next week. *shrug*
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Well…at least I've made new friends in 3DS Street Pass.