No more E3...

[jp]

http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3538&Itemid=2


That really sucks if it turns out to be true. :(

[Hunter]

Im at work and that link won;'t work, any chance you can post the article?

[jp]

The ESA will today seek to salvage some good from the wreckage of E3; but the spectacle that has held the industry in thrall for 12 years is at an end.
Digg this story here.

As Next-Gen exclusively reported Sunday, all major exhibitors have effectively pulled their support from the show, prompting the majority of game publishers to also cancel plans for high-cost booths. The ESA will make an announcement later today that will attempt to add some gloss to this catastrophe, with some form of media-focused boutique event - branded E3 - taking its place.

Some gullible journalists, evidently blinded by a desire to do-down a rival scoop, have taken this as evidence that E3 is alive and well and merely being 'downsized'. But this euphemism doesn't change the facts. The decision by big manufacturers and publishers to walk away has left ESA in damage-control mode. As we reported yesterday, E3, in its present form, is dead.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) shindig has been a staple of game industry life since the mid-1990s. However, the larger exhibitors have jointly decided that the costs of the event do not justify the returns, generally measured in media exposure.

Publishers believe the multi-million dollar budgets would be better spent on more company-focused events that bring attention to their own product lines rather than the industry as a whole.

Well placed sources say the news that larger exhibitors were pulling out had prompted urgent meetings among publishing executives. They decided that, without the support of the larger software publishers and hardware manufacturers, there would be no point in continuing.

Whatever is announced today will be no more than a fig-leaf. The days of an industry event attended by all the major publishers, spending big money, are gone.

Calls to ESA staff are not being returned at present.

[jp]

You know... the more I think about this, the more I feel Sony is probably behind it.


I mean honestly, E3 was pretty much Sony making a noose for themselves. And if anybody would want to hide their crap from the public... well, thats who it would be.


I'm sure MS and Nintendo would have no problem continuing to support E3. In fact, I think that would be awesome if E3 continued only WITHOUT Sony there. Though I will so miss watching them destroy themselves.

[Conjoshus]

Think of how huge the 07 E3 would have been with downloadable content from all three consoles (if Nintendo and Sony followed what Microsoft did over E3 06).

[jp]

Think of how huge the 07 E3 would have been with downloadable content from all three consoles (if Nintendo and Sony followed what Microsoft did over E3 06).


I think the Wii just has the Virtual Console thing. Maybe it has DS downloads as well though, not sure.

[Conjoshus]

I thought Nintendo said that was the point of the 24/7 internet connection. They could stream downloads to you even while your system is off. So you could wake up, use your DS to play the new demo, etc.

I'm sure they will do downloadable content similar to Microsoft if they allow external hard drives to be attached.

[jp]

Well that would be teh coolness.

I forgot all about the 24/7 online connection though. Sweet action. There's another $100 for an overpriced wireless adaptor. :~


Though on Sony's end every demo would've probably cost $5 or $.50 per play. :E