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Jul 30 / Ozymandias

Rumor: E3 Cancelled?

Looks like Joystiq is reporting that E3 may be cancelled.


Nothing confirmed yet, but I have a feeling this could be true… it fits the general attitude people in the industry have been having toward E3 the last few years. Don’t mistake me, it is (or was?) a great show to go to. I’ve been to every E3 since it launched, ever since it replaced the Comdex (Spring and Fall) of old. E3 has always been the show to go to to see what everyone’s doing, and it’s the one show you know you’ll be able to hook up with industry folks you know.


That said, over the past few years the show has gotten too large for its own good. It’s become less about the individual games than about bombastically huge booths staffed by booth babes trying to outshout each other. The games are lost in the din, and I think having a smaller show more focused on supporting the press could well be better for the industry at large. My vote is for anywhere but LA, by the way. Wink


[Edit (thanks to a nudge from Letskilldave): Looks like the E3 of old is definitely gone. To quote him:


Bottom line:



  • E3 2007 is moved to July
  • There is no longer a trade show floor
  • Attendance is by invitation-only

[End edit.]

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  • clerkenwell

    I would love to see a scaled down version move to somewhere in western Washington. For one, it’s where both MS and Nintendo have their U.S. base of operations, for two the region is home to probably the largest gaming culture in the U.S., and for three it would be alot easier for me to go as it’s where I live.

  • Ranger7722

    I agree with the above poster.  Why?  Because I also live in western Washington!

  • http://www.xbox.com HOVA uk

    Yeah e3 is a big event, everyone in the gaming community looks forward to e3.. and i kinda reckon Microsoft may have predicted it, because they have their own gaming show X-0 series. It’s in Spain this year and there’s that other game show in Germany.

    Plus, If it is cancelled. it must be very new ’cause a lot of developers were saying ‘No Demo’ or ‘No Footage’ until next e3. eg. The New MGS was recently announced to  be shown only in the next e3, stating it won’t be ready for the ps3 launch.

  • Anonymous

    This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a show change dramatically. When Nintendo pulled out of CES, that show was never quite the same.

    Maintaining smaller events for the press is something that I fear will stifle and eventually smother this industry. Many independant sites are more reputable than the mainstream companies, and quickly becoming our lifeblood.

    Having spent most of my adult life in the industry, I fear being forever ostricized because I no longer have my press credentials. With freelance work difficult to attain under the best of circumstances, losing the cornicopia of contacts from the yearly E3 shows is a terrifying prospect. Many others see the show as a meal ticket as well.

  • sublime78

    This sucks.

  • imaginedbug

    @ clerkenwell: do you work in the gaming industry? If not, it doesn’t matter where/if they move the E3 since it’s not open for outsiders anyway.

    It would be a shame to see the E3 go, but it might force developers and distributors to find other ways to get people excited about new games. Demos and such won’t be held back (or rushed) because of that one big event, which could be very good.

  • imaginedbug
  • Claws

    It’s about time this happened.E3 had become an overgrown and bloated circus.Move it from the freak show that is L.A.,downsize it,TURN IT INTO AN ACTUAL TRADE SHOW, and by God, make it INVITATION ONLY!

  • HcC

    I have never been to an E3, but I have watched the videos,blogs, and whatnot. Even from an outsiders view it seemed like it has gotten really huge and almost useless. So, now that it’s by invitation, who’s inviting me ? :)