__UPDATE 5:51: E3 2007 in "Two Hotels". __Doug Lowenstein tells WSJ that 2007's show will be called "E3 Media Festival," take place in two hotels, bring in only 5,000 attendees. As if we needed even more evidence that it's really a cancellation...
__UPDATE 1:32: Group of Four? __Next-Gen says that the presidents of Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and EA all got together and decided to pull out in unison...
__UPDATE 12:27: July? __EA tells IGN that the small, intimate E3-branded event will take place in July 2007...
__UPDATE -- GAME|LIFE REAX: __
Okay, so every bit of wild speculation on the part of Next-Gen and others turns out to be true: while there will indeed be something called E3 Expo taking place in Los Angeles in 2007, what will transpire will be so different that it is entirely correct to say that E3 as we commonly understand the term has been cancelled.
The ESA, as expected, puts a happy positive face on the whole thing. I don't buy it -- while Lowenstein's opinions on whether or not the industry really needs a glitzy trade show right now are certainly thought-provoking and quite possibly true (and I'm not gonna argue with Doug Lowenstein of all people about the game business), you have to believe that the ESA would give anything to keep E3 exactly as it is -- an amazing spectacle, a show of power, a media frenzy. They're the reason that E3 got so ridiculous in the first place, because they kept building it up and building it up.
So as many have speculated, this is all likely because certain key E3 players have taken their football, their football autographed by John Madden, if you will, and gone home. At this point I go down to EA's studios for preview events literally three times a year, and I think if you add the cost of all of those events up, it is probably roughly equivalent to the margin of error on EA's E3 budget.
As our capable illustrator Peter pointed out yesterday, I'm not sure whether to laugh, sigh exasperatedly, or curl up into a fetal position and sob at the reactions from some of the hardcore gamers. I'm stunned at the sense of entitlement they have, as if E3 was somehow for them, whether they went there or not, and that this is somehow going to ruin everything. I suppose if I was a teenager with a fan site I'd be a little miffed that one of the only (if not the only) oppportunities I had in any given year to preview early games was taken away, but who is to say they couldn't swing some access to the new, more "intimate" E3? Times change. Adapt!
However, at the same time that I am sure that a smaller show will only be a positive for we who cover the event, I can't help but think that this is just another symptom of the industry's overall belt-tightening. I don't want to say "crash" again, but then again it did get me a lot of hits last time. We'll see how well the business rides out this particular console transition. It's definitely looking like 2007 could be another 1995: the big players aren't going out of business, but we'll see a lot of big-name games fall far short of expectations, and retailers will begin to cut orders in response.
Bold prediction: we haven't seen the last company close up shop, this time round. In two years' time, another big player will be gone.
To close: in every likelihood I will be going to Los Angeles next spring and playing a whole bunch of awesome new video games. We'll still have press conferences full of RIIIIDGE RACER and massive damage. The show will go on, in every respect save for the fact that the show has been cancelled.
After a very long Sunday full of speculation, the ESA sent out their press release this morning. As I predicted: lots of positive spin, but E3's done. Reactions coming later today. For now, read on (salient points bolded by yours truly):
E3Expo 2007 WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2006--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.
