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E3 killed! Reborn as "new E3Expo"


Next Generation broke the news yesterday that E3, the gaming industry's largest event, would cease to exist in its present form as major industry players pulled their support citing disappointment in the costs of the show. Shortly thereafter, Gamespot piled on writing that the show hadn't been cancelled, rather greatly downsized.

Now, the morning after, the ESA has spoken up and it appears they're both a little right. Next Generation sticks to their guns claiming, "In a release, the trade body also did not deny our reports that all major operators in the industry had pulled support." This would support their contention that the ESA had no choice but to spin the new, smaller E3 as an "evolution" instead of a last resort. Gamespot rode the downsize pony all the way into town, straplining, "Annual expo to become 'more intimate event,' focus on press events, small meetings." They also discuss the effect this downsizing will have on the city of Los Angeles and certain groups like cab drivers. Good stuff.

So smaller it is. Like the video game expo equivalent of Sodom and Gomorrah, E3 was too far gone. Too many booth babes, too much noise, too many crappy, plastic trinkets, too many long lines. Like angry deities, the gaming industry giants have crushed E3 from atop their Mount, only to see it rebuilt as a convention more in line with the modern gaming industry. Read on for the official ESA release, pasted after the break.

Read - ESA Confirms E3's Fall (Next Generation)
Read - ESA confirms smaller E3 in '07 (Gamespot)


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."

Additional details about the new E3Expo event will be forthcoming in the next few months.