Regarded as both a shock and a blessing, The Entertainment Software Association has announced that E3 Expo is “evolving” into a more intimate event rather than the circus it was before.
“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.”
And that’s not all. ESA plans on cutting down all the excitement that marked the previous E3s and replaces them with “small meetings with media, retail, development and other key sectors.” Basically, it will not feature the large trade show environment it had in its previous years. Additionally, the show has been moved to July from its May timeslot and its name has been changed to “E3 Media Festival”.
Following the above news, Gamespot, Game Informer and Rocky Mountain News carried out Q&As with Doug Lowenstein, the president of ESA, on the changes and why they were made. Tons of editorial were written as well, here are some: CNN Money, EuroGamer, FiringSquad, GameZone, MMORPG.COM, IGN and Next Generation.
Adding to the above, Gamespot carries an article offering their staff’s view and the industry’s reaction to the change.
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