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E3 Day One: Booth babe spotting
At E3, we hoped to see some ladies wearing a little more than in previous years. Despite any enforcement of rules, there were still a lot of assets on display on the show floor -- here's some of the best (and worst) from day one.To our right is a classic uncomfortable, gimmicky costume. She (we assume it's a she) doesn't have to keep smiling, 'cause it's pasted on. Warning: repeatedly raising your arms in the Ms. Pac-Man gesture of welcome may cause injury.
Overheard at E3: Which game is this?
A lot of the casual conversation at E3 revolves around girls, girls and more girls. Overheard at Webzen's display of whirling skirts and crop-tops:Gamer 1: Which game is this?Gamer 2: Dude, I don't even care.
Overheard at E3: "Here, hold this for me."
Overheard amongst the cluster of gamers who were gathering around these fetching lasses to take photographs: gamerdude: Here, hold my bag for me. dude's buddy: Why? Ok. gamerdude: I need to take a shot of my future wife.
Webzen: a lot of fuss for one release
One MMO company definitely wants to get noticed at this E3. Webzen's booth is big, almost as large as nearby THQ and Activision, and they're putting on a show for the crowds. With dancing booth babes, a loud emcee and armour-clad models -- as well as plastering all the cafeteria tables with ads -- Webzen's attack on the Western world is well and truly here. Of Webzen's three games being shown at E3, only one is out in the near future -- Huxley. Soul of the Ultimate Nation will make its way to the U.S. in 2007 (no word of an European release), and Project Wiki is slated for a Korea-only release at the moment. So why the big fuss? Webzen believe that in Huxley they have the tools to break into the Western market, and make a name for themselves worldwide. The joint Xbox 360/PC release is at once a risk and an adventure for them -- and they want gamers to sit up and pay attention to it.
Girl gaming clans as next-gen booth babes
The idea of booth babes who are fanatical gamers isn't a new one, but the booth babe cliché tends to overlook the fact that becoming a babe is one way for gamers to get into E3. With a clampdown on the amount of flesh on show at this year's E3, companies are looking for a few other ways to give their booth -- and its attached babes -- the edge.An interesting marriage of ideas is to employ girl gaming clans as "totty with triggers" -- a booth attraction that appeals on multiple levels. Arguably, that's what Ubisoft's "Frag Dolls" team is all about, but the Dolls won't be alone at E3 this year. g0d (girlz of destruction) will be bringing their VIA-sponsored "home of chrome" to the show floor, and the PMS clan will also be sending members to E3 to work for various sponsors.There is a difference between groups which were set up specifically by one company, or which formed in order to seek sponsorship, and those which came together naturally -- though on the show floor, that's less apparent. Clans like g0d and PMS are becoming famous, and attracting sponsorship now, but they formed for fellowship rather than financial gain. With professional gamers in general getting more exposure these days, it seems that the gender of all-girl gaming teams makes them an immediate hot prospect to replace the stereotypical eye-candy booth babes.
PGR3 Fun Time with Japanese 360 Girls
Marketing for morons tip #360: When all else fails, bring out the babes! Sensing that sex sells consoles, Xbox Japan sponsored an apparently successful promotional event subtly christened "Xbox Live Fun Time" where three popular Gravia (pin-up) girls cooed over the 360 and showed off their modest PGR3 skills online. It's going to take more than a few cute chicks in headsets to turn things around for Microsoft in Sony and Nintendo's backyard. But in a country where sniffable panties are only a vending machine away, this latest ploy seems like a pretty obvious move. Now how about some killer apps to go with those killer bods.[Thanks SuicideNinja]
Save the booth babes
Just as I'm getting psyched for my first trip to E3 on behalf of 360Fanboy and Joystiq, commenter Sinz points me to a buzz-killing story about the crackdown on booth babes at this year's expo—as if covering a few glistening breasts will make Senator Cankles call off her dogs. (I swear I saw this article a while back, but blocked it out because it seemed so wrong):ESA has stated that the rules will be firmly enforced for E3 2006, and that those who ignore them will be penalised. The handbook continues: "The Board has adopted an amendment to the current Character of Exhibit/Attire Policy enforcement. Exhibitors will receive ONE verbal warning when a violation of the policy is encountered. Should another violation occur, the ESA will impose a $5000 penalty, payable immediately on-site and require that models comply with the dress code before returning to the floor."..."E3Expo is first and foremost a business show, and policies such as this one help create an environment not only "where business gets fun", but where business gets done."So I finally score a press pass and now they're going to start enforcing the rules. Whose wife got on the committee? Let's be honest: E3 without a bevy of nerd-tantalizing semi-clothed babes is like Christmas without Santa Claus. I feel like I'm at the center of some cosmic joke. Hopefully, once the doors close the powers that be will drop the PC mumbo jumbo and bring on the Rumble Roses jello wrestling team. By the way, if you're not a highly trained media professional like myself, but still want to check out the girls (or lack there of) and other excitement at E3 2006, Microsoft is holding a sweepstakes for Xbox Live members. [Thanks Sinz & Tomcats]
Booth babes update: E3's response
Yesterday we brought you news that E3 would be censoring its exhibitors this year, with a prohibition on nudity, partial nudity and even bikini bottoms. Gamecloud has obtained a statement from the director of E3 concerning this policy, and it seems that it's not a new development:In fact, it is the same as it has been for the past several years, and the vast majority of other major tradeshows have the same or similar policies. What's new in 2006 is an update of the enforcement policies, which simply allow show management to better enforce the long-standing dress code. The enforcement policies involve a verbal warning followed by a $5000 fine. Since the rules on decency haven't actually changed, we don't need to say goodbye to the booth babes just yet; there should be plenty of them, as always. This is a shame for those of us who welcomed the development as a step in the right direction for the games industry, but good news for anyone lamenting their loss.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Censorship at E3
Say goodbye to booth babes; this year's E3 is putting restrictions in place to clean up the show floor a little. The exhibitor's handbook apparently includes the following rule:Material, including live models, conduct that is sexually explicit and/or sexually provocative, including but not limited to nudity, partial nudity and bathing suit bottoms, are prohibited on the Show floor, all common areas, and at any access points to the Show. ESA, in its sole discretion, will determine whether material is acceptable.This is an interesting, and worrying, development; as Brenda Brathwaite points out, the censorship means that showing adult games or games with partial nudity won't be allowed. Will The Sims 2 be turned away because of the shower scenes? Will World of Warcraft be denied access because you can dance in your undies?It's unlikely, but it looks like a line will have to be drawn somewhere. Also, while we applaud the removal of scantily-clad models from the show floor, we wonder which other techniques companies will stoop to to grab the attention of passers-by. Last year's Anti Booth Babes attracted a lot of publicity, but exhibitors will have to find new tricks this year.
