EA CEO hates the new E3
Since the scaling down of E3 and the disappearance of the booth babes, the appeal of the event has waned.
EA's CEO John Riccitiello was perhaps the most blunt of all who said that he flat-out hated E3 in it's new scaled-down incarnation during an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle.
"I hate E3 like this," said Riccitiello. "Either we need to go back to the old E3, or we'll have to have our own private events."
These opinions were then mirrored by Ubisoft as well, where the publisher's American president said that the show was totally terrible and is now similar to a pipe-fitters show in a basement.
E3 used to be the most important event on the games calendar, but has been scaled down in recent years to become a press only event. However, with publishers now keen to show products on their own terms and time-tables and without competitions, E3 has largely become redundant for many. EA for one already hosts several events around the year - in fact, we're heading out to see the latest build of Red Alert 3 tomorrow - while Ubisoft hosts a larger single showcase in France every year.
"It's one milestone in the communication of your products throughout the year, and it's important because it's the ramp-up for Christmas," said Ubisoft's Alain Corre in an interview with GI.biz. "But E3 here, mid-July, in the Convention Center in downtown LA - it's not appropriate I would say."
Even Nintendo has been critical it seems, with Shigeru Miyamoto stating that the event is no longer the place to showcase titles for the dedicated gaming enthusiast.
The attendance figures are especially damning though. At it's peak, E3 played host to over 60,000 attendees, whereas the event is now limited to just 5000 professional journalists. This year's keynote speaker Governor Rick Perry delivered his opening speech to less than 20 people. What does that tell you? Let us know in the forums.
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25 Comments
Discuss in the forums Replynot sure that most of these press guys would be able to deliever the type of content that have been available in the last two years as the public would be in the way.
if i was able to get to E3 every year then i would love to play these games first hand, but if E3 change back to what it was, would we still get the same coverage with all the public queuing to play these games as well as the press?
This is what happens.
As for E3, it looks like everyone's saying the same thing. What once was a revered event has become a farce.
gaming conventions are about players getting a feel of what to expect. so E3 basically shot both of its feet at the same time, while waving good-bye
wuyanxu, here's a slightly bigger one http://images.anime.xunlei.com/collection/s3/1/133414Xa6dszlsUfuf1OFpZA5Q3hWvQXgEPsukjOUZw2lD.jpg and more of them: http://blogs.ya.com/game-babes/200605.htm
http://tineye.com/ is your friend :)
-monkey
Indeed but in the spirit of being pedantic, she is wearing latex/rubber and not PVC
Kimbie
Sorry, I was thinking about Mitzi Martin while writing that.
If they want the old, "good" E3 back (like all of us gamers do) they can have it... Surely?
that just makes too much sense now doesn't it? :)
well said, my friend. well said.
like other has said, content on the net is insane... so u need somethin else to gather interests. i mean, who wouldnt smile when they see.... well... i mean... well u get the idea..
i completely agree!
edit: its dead, shame, i wanted to go....
I'm rambling, I know
In the business, it matters hugely. Being able to mingle and network face to face and so is crucial and being able to ask questions face to face and see the games all in one place is very good.
That said, I hate E3 too. I'm all for the smaller parties.
Maybe when E3 tanks next year someone will wake up and do it right. At least lets hope.
E3 without booth babes is like showing a tit for 0.2 seconds during the superbowl and watch 40 million Americans get 'shocked'