Next-Gen reported something this morning that has the games industry, or at least the part of it that resides in my studio apartment, all aflutter. The headline? "EXCLUSIVE: E3 FINISHED."
It's looking as if the ESA will be making an announcement in the next 48 hours to the effect that several of the largest E3 exhibitors have decided not to attend E3 2007, which was originally slated for May 16-18 of that year. The reasoning seems to be that the massive costs don't justify the returns.
Could we really see, next year, what so many journalists have secretly hoped for: a low-key show, or even seperate events, where we can see games in private meeting rooms without the three days of blaring, deafening music, glaring lights, and masses of sweaty Gamestop cashiers?
Also, I believe this says something about the state of the industry. Dear rosy-cheeked everything's-gonna-be-just-swell Pollyannas: E3 just got cancelled. What up now? Think this solves all the problems?
