Rich Fiscus
9 Jul 2007 10:33
The video game industry's annual showcase is saying goodbye to scantily clad booth babes, extravagant multimillion dollar exhibits, blaring lights and pounding music. Celebrity appearances from the likes of Paris Hilton or Snoop Dogg are a thing of the past, too.
The event, which starts Wednesday, looks to be more like a country club getaway, an invitation-only gathering complete with luxury beach-side hotels, sushi restaurants and meetings in private conference rooms.
After last year's expo, organizers decided it had become too big for its own good. With more than 60,000 people cramming into the Los Angeles Convention Center, there was a feeling that the needs of no one -- be it the media, retailers or video game publishers -- were being addressed particularly well.
Only about 30 of the largest video game software and hardware companies are attending, down from the hundreds that packed the sprawling Los Angeles Convention Center in previous years. Also missing will be the army of small-time bloggers, zealous game fans and others who somehow managed to infiltrate the trade-only event.
This week's event, which runs through Friday, will focus on the industry's largest players, including No. 1 game-software maker Electronic Arts Inc. and console makers Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp. and Nintendo Corp.
"It's ultimately about the games," said Josh Larson, director of the online game review Web site GameSpot. "The PS3 box can look real shiny and have lots of powerful specs but it's ultimately the game experience that causes you to go out and get that gaming system."
In another twist, the ESA is hoping to appeal to the general gaming consumer later this fall. The "E for All 2007," an event which will be open to the public, is scheduled for October 18-21.
Source: The Times Tribune