GameTavern - No More E3

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From a marketing perspective, this is an atrocious move. HORRIBLE. In fact, I can't think of one logical reason from a business perspective why it should be scaled down. E3 is gaming's big event. Its a yearly showcase that garners the industry the closest thing to positive mainstream press that its likely to see in the near future.

Now, if the industry moves the dog and pony show over to another event, say PAX, and they concentrated on just internal industry issues at E3, that wouldn't be a bad move (but I already thought there was a convention like that).

To just end the extravanza that was E3 without another outlet is just stupid. Flat out stupid. But I think you'll just see E3 with another name next year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

From a marketing perspective, this is an atrocious move. HORRIBLE. In fact, I can't think of one logical reason from a business perspective why it should be scaled down.

The thing is, a lot of publishers absolutely despise E3. Every year they're forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a few days of recognition, with most companies barely getting anything in return from their investment. Like how many publishers can compete with a 50ft. MGS4 display or a new Zelda game? Maybe 70% of the titles shown at E3 get lost amongst the big blockbusters, and like I said it's difficult for most journalists to even report on the smaller company offerings becuase they are so caught up in whatever Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft is showing.

You also have to consider the amount of pressure developers are put under to get games ready for presentation at the big show. Can you even imagine working for Bungie, having Microsoft breathing down your neck to get a presentable build of Halo 3 at E3?

If E3 is downsized, publishers will have more money to spend on their own events, where they can receive full coverage of all their titles and not worry about bigger games overshadowing them.

That all makes sense, DM, but I'm looking more at the big picture. I'm looking at a legislature drooling at the idea of regulating video games and using them a scapegoat for just about any social disorder or malady. I'm looking at an industry that is also prime to dominate traditional media entertainment in the next 10 years.

Whether publishers want to sell or compete is irrelevant. E3 was good for the entire industry and was a sole source of mainstream buzz and attention for it.

But like I said, I still see E3 existing, but under a different name. Economic competition won't allow for such an important event not to exist. Big name publishers are still going to want to push their products at the expense of others. Now, instead of a large convention where all could join (even if at a lower level of exposure), you'll probably just see the giants still pump all the same money for more recognition, and create even more of a gaming ghetto for the smaller houses.

GameTavern doomed.

TreasureTavern new permanent name.

More at 11.

Well, this is the official announcement that the ESA issued today.

Quote:

The new E3Expo will focus on press events and small meetings with media, retail, development, and other key sectors. While there will be opportunities for game demonstrations, E3Expo 2007 will not feature the large trade show environment of previous years.

"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," said Lowenstein.

Additionally, the evolution of the video game industry into a vibrant and expanding global market has led to the creation of major events in different regions, such as the Games Convention in Leipzig, the Tokyo Game Show, and company-specific events held by Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and others around the world. As a result, Lowenstein said, "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."

I'm really looking forward to the changes they're going to make, and I do think that in the grand scheme of things that the move is a beneficial one. While I do agree that E3, being one of the largest entertainment expos in the world, was a great way for the industry as a whole to attain the recognition and media buzz necessary to bring video games into a more "general audience" perspective, it still contained a very flashy, very "core gamer" type of appearance in its grandeur, and in the long run I think we can get more out of E3 with this new method.

I wonder if TGS will become the next alrge event. larger then it already is

Actually, TGS is suppose to be merging with Japan's two other largest entertainment trade shows. One is like gadgets and electronics, and the other is toys and anime I believe; can't remember what they're called. But anyway, it'll become one of the largest video game/electronics shows on the planet.