With E3 just around the corner (for the uninitiated, E3 stands for Electronic Entertainment Expo), I'd like to find out what gamers think about events like E3. Sure, you can read all about what journalists and writers think of the events from just about any gaming related website on the internet but what do consumers/gamers and the general public think about events like E3? Do you think they're important for gamers and if so, why? Do you enjoy reading coverage about up and coming games or do you think it's all just a waste of time and money and simply a vehicle for easy mass-marketing of the latest games?
To be sure, E3 is definitely a good way to see what publishers and game developers have to offer in terms of mainstream content. From my own experience of E3, there doesn't really seem to be alot of focus on smaller, independent game developers (feel free to correct me here) and ALOT of focus on developers like Microsoft, EA, Sony and the like. Which isn't a bad thing but what happens to all the games in-between? Isn't it important for the general gaming public to know what's on offer including smaller, indy projects or developers? Afterall, it can only be a good thing to have more choice rather than the alternative which is the same stuff being cranked out by the same developers year after year.
There's no denying that attending these events can be a rewarding experience for journalist's in terms of making contacts within the industry and getting hands-on and behind closed doors with some of the bigger AAA titles on offer. It's definitely a buzz from that perspective but from the public's point of view, what do events like E3 deliver for you, if anything?
Do you regularly follow all the podcasts and video clips that are uploaded throughout the event or do you just give it a miss altogether? And do you think that events like this should be open to the public rather than just media and trade people? If so, why?
As always, I look forward to your replies and I'll do my best to respond :) And thanks to all those that replied to my post "What platform do you choose and why?" - great responses and suggestions!
-Julie out.
Image via LegitReviews
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E3 had a few rough years in there while the doors were open to everybody -- they didn't really know what kind of show they wanted to be, so they were trying to cater to developers, manufacturers, press, and fans all at once. But now we're seeing a bloom of segment-specific cons: GDC for devs and PAX for fans come to mind. So now E3 is getting back to what it once was, the top-tier pedestal for the biggest companies to make their most important announcements. Remember last year, when the big N dropped the "Other M" announcement on our heads? That's what E3 is to me. Huge, unexpected announcements firing out from LA like a shockwave, not just a bunch of booths with stuff getting leaked out gradually.
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Fangamer
Yeah, I think E3 has definitely evolved over the years to become something well-worth attending, especially for journalists. Haven't been to PAX or GDC yet (on my to-do list). Would love to go to the TGS and maybe Leipzig as I'm told both of these events are really good to attend at least once.
It's definitely cool hearing ground-breaking news about games. That's probably one of the most exciting things to happen at events, especially when you least expect it :)
Lots of news comes out of E3, and the press and by proxy the public gets introduced to new games. But the best trade show in my opinion is GDC. There's just less bullshit.
Hi James! And yeah, I'm yet to attend a GDC but I can imagine it would be a completely different atmosphere to E3 - alot less hype for one :)
It should be open to the public & I say this b/c the developers & publishers & others showing their technology there will get the consumers response & how to improve, take away from the technology & games. I have always wanted to go to one & more conventions, but not enough money. :(
Yep, I think they actually opened E3 up to the public a couple years back - not sure which year it was maybe 2008? Not too sure how that went but I am assuming not too well because they restricted entry the following year to media only again. I guess some of these events are good for media to attend specifically as this definitely has its advantages. But there are some game events similar to E3 that are open to the public.