Industry News | E3 Media Festival - Smaller is Better

Recent reports hit the Internet of the possible downfall of the E3 Expo, resizing or even scrapping the central gaming industry meet-up all together. Today the ESA, have confirmed the heart still beats for the event, but evolving into something a bit different for 2007 and beyond.

Future E3 tradeshows are now said to be evolving into something different, a more intimate, smaller, personal event that's focusing on better targeted meetings, attendees and activities. Plans for the "new" E3 will take place over the coming months, with Los Angeles still being the centre of the gaming universe. Game demonstrations and attractions are still said to be penned in, but not to the extent of the mass glitz and glamour of recent years.

"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. 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. 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."
Douglas Lowenstein, President of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo.

The evolution and progression of the industry in recent years has lead to various smaller events happening in different locations, the Tokyo Game Show, Leipzig Games Convention, London shows and company specific events by the big three software giants. "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 will become available in the coming months.

Update 1
According to Next-Gen.biz, the new name for the E3 Expo will be "E3 Media Festival" from 2007.

The smaller version, tentatively titled the E3 Media Festival, could occupy suites and conference rooms at two Los Angeles hotels with a target attendance of about 5,000, said Doug Lowenstein, president of the ESA, which voted to make the change Wednesday.

Stay tuned for updates.