Power Button Podcast
Tip JarE3 2007: E3 Evolution
July 12, 2007
So, after all the turbulence over the downscaling of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, how does the new E3 format compare to the old format? Gone are the 60,000 people packed into the Los Angeles Convention Center, the scantily-clad booth babes are history, and there aren't as many games on display. Instead the estimated 5,000 or so of us covering the event are split among a number of local ritzy hotels and a small airplane hanger near the airport. The circus/party atmosphere is gone, replaced with security guards, timed appointments, and fewer hands-on opportunities. There's no swag to collect either. However, I find that I rather like the new format.
I have yet to feel rushed. Thanks to the appointment setup I've been able to meet personally with representatives from major publishers. Yesterday AMN's Phillip Levin and I sat down with Nintendo to try Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Super Mario Galaxy, and later today I'll be meeting with Namco to try games such as Beautiful Katamari. Tomorrow I'm scheduled to see Konami's people to discuss Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles, Dewy's Adventure, and Contra 4. Under the old system I'd end up standing in line for hours on the open show floor to play these games, and now this year I have a set time to go and play the games in a quiet and calm atmosphere.
Barker Hanger is a bit on the pitiful side. It's the closest thing at E3 this year that approximates the old show flood experience, but instead of massive halls packed with games and chaos, the hanger has a few dozen games on display. Lines are never longer than one or two people. Not everything announced at the various press conferences is available for play. For example, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is only available at Nintendo's private appointment room. Super Mario Galaxy is at the hanger, however, as is Wii Fit. Capcom has a single Devil May Cry 4 kiosk at the hanger that largely goes unloved. Publishers such as Sega and Square-Enix have big signs at their tables that forbid photography, something I find absurd. Why hold a big press event if these companies don't want the media to take photos and cover the event?
There's a lot of chatter on the charter buses that take us from hotel to hotel that this may well be the last E3 in any format. That would be quite a shame, for as much as I mourned the loss of the old type of E3, this new arrangement has been spectacular when it comes to getting some actual work done. The spectacle and bombast are gone, replaced with pure productivity. Here's hoping I'll be back here next year to do it all over again.