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[Exterminieren]

I wonder how many people talking shit about E3 in here have actually been to E3 though? The keynote events are really just one half of the show. The actual convention is where the magic happens.

Several big exhibitors have pulled out of the convention, including the biggest 3rd Party booth. The show floor's the bit that's looking shaky, not the conferences.

 

[Owari]

Several big exhibitors have pulled out of the convention, including the biggest 3rd Party booth. The show floor's the bit that's looking shaky, not the conferences.

Eh. E3's booth never brought anything of value anyway. They were one of the booths that had basically 0 new games on display year after year. They won't be missed.

 

[Corpsepyre]

E3 has always been Christmas, Eid and every other holiday wrapped into one, for me. I hope it never goes away. It's the best time of the month.

 

[Sadist]

E3 will keep changing to keep itself relevant. They'll be fine.

 

[Ceallach]

People forget that E3 has died before. It scaled down dramatically years ago, got rid of the spectacle then kinda came back.

 

[Justified]

People forget that E3 has died before. It scaled down dramatically years ago, got rid of the spectacle then kinda came back.

Not because of the Industry though, last time that was the ESA intent. Thats the difference here. It didnt "die" last time

 

[EhoaVash]

I only watch e3 for Nintendo. They keep it interesting for me as a viewer with their recent twitch coverages and release of new information spread throughout e3 week. They make it feel almost like a holiday, so it will never feel irrelevant to me as Nintendo's around.

 

[Caffeine]

I think the e3 show floor/booths will continue to vanish over the next few years, but the livestreaming press conferences/digital events and meetings will still take place for another good decade.

 

[wachie]

Only the Nintendo die-hards keep insisting E3 is no more. It will stay relevant more than these people say.

 

[deriks]

We need an huge event once a year, and E3 already exist. So yeah, it's not gonna die. Even if the major companies do their exclusive thing, we still need an event with everyone.

 

[Petrae]

People forget that E3 has died before. It scaled down dramatically years ago, got rid of the spectacle then kinda came back.

Advancements in streaming and video technology versus 10 years ago render E3 much less vital or necessary, as a platform to share information about upcoming releases. The role of E3 is changing because times are changing. Publishers are realizing that E3 is no longer the only way to go in order to get the message out. There's streaming. There's pre-recorded (and well-crafted) video presentations. There's social media. There's the creation of events like PSX and EA's new thing, that can bring in a crowd AND make money for the companies (instead of putting it into the ESA's pocket).

The only thing that publishers still need from E3 is retailer/buyer interaction, which is why EA & ATVI will still have meeting room space for the event. Small, more intimate meetings with retail purchasers are still important for sales of upcoming hardware and software. It's why CES still has some relevance.

For consumers and press, though? Publishers don't need to break the bank on E3 when there are more ways (and times of the year) to get info out there. I think it's great to see some publishers understanding this and breaking away a bit.

 

[nib95]

E3 attendance and viewership has been on the rise year after year since 2012. I don't really know how you've come to the conclusion you have.

Nintendo had their own online direct system because they didn't have enough to offer, and couldn't compete in a big way with a massive press conference, not because their platform was a better means to advertise. Quite the opposite.

 

[Justified]

E3 attendance and viewership has been on the rise year after year since 2012. I don't really know how you've come to the conclusion you have. Nintendo had their own online direct system because they didn't have enough to offer and couldn't compete in a big way with a massive press conference, not because their platform was a better means to advertise. Quite the opposite.

Thats because they are opening up attendance to more people than they traditionally did. Meanwhile in that same timespan, exhibitors have decreased year after year. With this year having some big players pulling their booths.

So you would think more attendance means more presence from exhibitors, not the opposite

 

[nib95]

Thats because they are opening up attendance to more people than they traditionally did. Meanwhile in that same timespan, exhibitors have decreased year after year. With this year having some big players pulling their booths

Which big players? And what is to be concluded from that? Maybe these big players simply don't have enough to show, and are cost cutting till they do? Given the limited conference time and floor space, as well as conflicts of release schedules, on top of the high costs, I'm sure different publishers will drop in and out year to year depending on circumstance.

Regarding E3 popularity, it's not only attendance on the rise, it's viewership too, in terms of people watching streams, conferences, E3 related content etc. I mean, there are record numbers of people viewing E3 content now, whether attending the show or not. I believe last year 21 million people watched in the first 12 hours of E3 coverage, between YouTube and Twitch. E3 isn't going anywhere, at least not any time soon. If anything, online streaming and social media presence is just making it more prominent and noteworthy.

 

[The Cool One]

Hopefully not anytime soon, I still need to attend one of these things

 

[AcademicSaucer]

If the big 3 bail it's over

 

[NOLA_Gaffer]

I honestly wish everyone would move to Nintendo Direct style formats.

No forced "comedic" hosts, no nonsense, no fake gameplay videos, just all the facts condensed into an hour video block.

 

[Petrae]

I honestly wish everyone would move to Nintendo Direct style formats.

No forced "comedic" hosts, no nonsense, no fake gameplay videos, just all the facts condensed into an hour video block.

That's pretty much what I'd like to see, too. On-stage forced/rehearsed gameplay demos are awkward. Hosts range from cringey to lame. There's too much wasted time in transitions between presentations. The whooping and hollering from the fans-- errr... attendees does nothing for me or my hype level. People would have lost their collective shit over FFVIIr or Shenmue III regardless of how these announcements came to pass. Sure, the GameTrailers reaction was neat, but it could have happened without the big stage.

Nintendo Directs are more concise and flow much better than live presentations. Sure, the content may not always be that great-- but the presentations don't overstay their welcome. I'd love to see more of this style from other publishers in the future.