E3 Expo putting 'caps' on media badges based on site traffic

"Sneaking" into E3 2011 is going to be a lot more difficult for many enthusiasts than it has been in the past. According to an email sent out by the E3 Media Team (i.e., the ESA) and forwarded to us by a tipster, "E3 Expo 2011 show management has placed 'caps' on this year's media badge assignments due to the tremendous number of requests for media badges. As part of the overall qualification process, the Media Team uses Compete.com, xinureturns.com, Quantcast.com and Alexa as the standard measurement/ranking tools in determining media badge approvals for online-based applicants."

Over the years, the ESA has experimented with controlling E3 attendance at the behest of game publishers, but this year's new measures have have raised concerns about promoting a "closed loop." Limiting entry based on site traffic suggests that well-trafficked sites will be the ones to gain increased access to publishers and developers, and, in turn, more traffic, while smaller, independent sites will be stifled by the restriction and unable to grow. Another concern points out that the data generated by sites like Compete can be inaccurate, given "you have to insert code to properly track" for the service.

"We require that sites be fully launched, operational for six months, and that the website receives a minimum of 8,000 monthly unique impressions as a baseline for each media badge issued," adds the email notice (published in full after the break). That means if you haven't started your New Year's resolution to launch a video games site yet, it's too late to "pull a Destructoid." Of course, if you happen to work at Roscoe's, we might be able to work something out ... for a taste of that sweet, sweet unicorn meat.

E3 Media Team email sent to media applicant:

Ed.'s note: Applicant's name and website have been removed from the email to protect anonymity.