This does happen every year afaik. The show floor is the bit all the consumers go to to play around with the newly announced games etc. Isn't it?
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Is E3 becoming pointless?
- Thread starter Lagamorph
- Start date
This does happen every year afaik. The show floor is the bit all the consumers go to to play around with the newly announced games etc. Isn't it?
You are aware that 99% of E3 isn't broadcast to consumers, right? All you see are the keynote presentations, and those aren't even at E3 technically.
Cindi Mayweather
Member
A year after FF7r, TLG, and Shenmue III reveals E3 is pointless?
In terms of function, that is all it is. E3 is one of several trade events for the industry which take place over the course of the year. It will always have that value. It's not -just- for press, but it's for the -industry-. It's an event for people who actually work in the industry to meet up and network. Even if there is zero "hype" from consumers, the event will exist for that. See: GDC, GC, TGS, along with all the tons of smaller ones all over the world which lots of people on the internet don't even care about like the Taipei Game Show, etc.
The internet is far from the end all or even a big factor of these events. Are they a big focus for the first party press conferences? Absolutely. But that's direct marketing. They're not an actual big reason why the event itself exists.
mikefrails
Banned
I don't think I'm seeing your point. Everything worth a darn is shown to us.
The show floor.
If the show was still media focused and not consumer focused, they'd see a need in keeping that space.
Networking is worth a huge darn, and nobody is going around broadcasting videos of people passing out cards or scheduling private demonstrations.
The big use is bringing not the trade press, but the local news and newspapers that normally view games as that odd thing their kids do. E3 makes it seem exciting and as such they get mainstream coverage.
In the age of the internet, there is honestly no reason to have a big trade-show in the nature of E3. I love the event, It is a great way to network, see games before they launch and get some articles written for out holiday buyers guide. But in all reality, we could get the same coverage at a local show where the companies do a tour of major urban centers.
Not at all. Most of the leaks are titles without gameplay or occasionally trailers.
Also hardware reveals like Neo/Scorpio/(I wish NX) and PSVR are best demoed live on stage somehow. Thats why we watch E3 leaks have been prevalent for years now this is nothing new. Seeing how they play is whats important.
I still get hyped for E3 every year and will probably continue to do so as long as the event is around, but I can't deny that it's importance and necessity is waning as the industry moves forward. Companies are realizing they can reach their audiences directly and save tons of money in the process.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Not pointless but it sure isn't the same magic as back in the day.
qa_engineer
Member
I feel like this gets posted every year prior to E3. Companies slow trickle and release news tidbits prior to E3 because E3 is reserved for bigger announcements.
Ninja Scooter
Member
This is what E3 has been like for years. The "get hyped then disappointed because it didn't live up to the impossible hype" cycle happens every year on GAF and all over the Internet.
At some point the onus is on you to check your expectations.
At some point the onus is on you to check your expectations.
Really?? lol
E3 isn't pointless. It is still awesome and definitely helps hype shit. Is it as awesome and great as it used to be? No. Is it going away? Eh. Too early to tell as companies continue t adapt to how the internet allows gamers and nongamers to absorb information(Twitter and Facebook). I'm not gonna say E3 is dying..more like it is injured lol. The conversation will be more relevant within the next 5 years I presume.
Nintendo practically skipping E3 makes it feel like it for me. Nevermind the lackluster shows most years all around. The days when the tradeshow is THE way to announce a major product are gone. It's still a way though. There are still great moments here and there.
I get hyped, but it feels like I'm forcing myself to these days. The marketing machine isn't as appealing or impressive as it used to be, and I'm older and more cynical by the day.
I get hyped, but it feels like I'm forcing myself to these days. The marketing machine isn't as appealing or impressive as it used to be, and I'm older and more cynical by the day.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Exactly. I've said this time and time again and yet people try and counteract it every time.
E3 is a press and retail event--period.
No, it's not. E3 is a retail buyers event. The purpose of E3 is for publishers to show their upcoming products to retail distributors and business owners, so they can see what they should be spending their money on to stock their shelves. Big business deals are made behind closed doors and between major players for advertising, marketing, distribution, etc. Because of this concentration of new product, it became a thing the press covered, but they are a remora on the giant shark of the actual purpose of E3.
E3 is not pointless, because the reason it exists is as vital and functional as ever. The press stuff and surprise announcements and show floor hype are just window dressing, and always have been.
JamesLandino
Harmonix
E3 is an insider industry event now, but I still remember in my wee younger days back when G4 was my primary source for gaming updates and E3 was the shit.
I understand that things change, but I'm always a little bit bummed that I'll never get to experience the hype of E3 back in its glory days.
I understand that things change, but I'm always a little bit bummed that I'll never get to experience the hype of E3 back in its glory days.
Mr. Giggles
Member
Yea it's definitely changing. I think the E3 we've remembered will morph into something new in time
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
You're overreacting to a quick post. For some reason I was equating retail with press, which was wrong. I've edited my post. Nowhere did I say it was pointless, by the way.
Jeronimo Jones
Member
Yeah, I just had deja vu. This isn't unprecedented OP.
A few scattered leaks (controlled or otherwise) can't replace presentations full of new information, trailers, and announcements.
Lasthope106
Member
Hasn't it always been?
Most "megaton" games announced are like 3 years away from release. The only exciting times are the year before new consoles are released. I just wish more companies did what Bethesda did for Fallout 4. Have an in-depth conference about the game's features, and then blow everyone away by announcing the game being released in a few months.
Most "megaton" games announced are like 3 years away from release. The only exciting times are the year before new consoles are released. I just wish more companies did what Bethesda did for Fallout 4. Have an in-depth conference about the game's features, and then blow everyone away by announcing the game being released in a few months.
Nah, not pointless. I mean no less pointless than it ever was.
Big issue is that E3 used to be (and CES before that) the first big preview of this fall (or year in the case of Winter CES). However since the advent of game coverage occurring for a game over the years of its development cycle.. we already get that coverage and those updates.
What E3 serves as now is like it has for the last few years, including last year's "year of dreams". The big announcements. Think about had Square announced FFVII like they announced FFXII. FFXII had the internet going "yay!!!!!". FFVII melted down the internet. I honestly believe had Square and Sony announced FFXII a week later at the Sony press conference, the reaction would have been even bigger.
Is it needed? No. Does it create huge reactions for the game companies and their products? Yeah, it does.
Big issue is that E3 used to be (and CES before that) the first big preview of this fall (or year in the case of Winter CES). However since the advent of game coverage occurring for a game over the years of its development cycle.. we already get that coverage and those updates.
What E3 serves as now is like it has for the last few years, including last year's "year of dreams". The big announcements. Think about had Square announced FFVII like they announced FFXII. FFXII had the internet going "yay!!!!!". FFVII melted down the internet. I honestly believe had Square and Sony announced FFXII a week later at the Sony press conference, the reaction would have been even bigger.
Is it needed? No. Does it create huge reactions for the game companies and their products? Yeah, it does.
Lord of Ostia
Member
The obvious answer to this is, E3 is for the typical gamer, not someone who posts on GAF. Of course we find out about a lot of stuff early, but....we find out about everything early. It's GAF, sometimes even the games media reports rumors and leaks FROM HERE. Most people have very little idea of leaks before E3 actually happens, because they aren't looking for them. None of my friends will have heard of any of the announcements before E3, because they aren't on GAF. So yes, E3 has significance to its intended audience, mainly people much less aware of every single leaked bit of info.
morthbound
Member
I find it strange that people compare E3 to Christmas.
During Christmas you actually get physical presents, where as E3 it's mostly just a bunch of announcements.
Unless the comparisons are that the industry comes together the same way a family would during the holidays, then maybe I get it but I still don't see how it's Christmas for the people watching.
Another thing is that E3 happens during the week where people are either at school or work.
During Christmas you actually get physical presents, where as E3 it's mostly just a bunch of announcements.
Unless the comparisons are that the industry comes together the same way a family would during the holidays, then maybe I get it but I still don't see how it's Christmas for the people watching.
Another thing is that E3 happens during the week where people are either at school or work.
Petrae
Member
Pointless? No. Retail purchasers use E3 to get a look at upcoming releases and get an idea of what to buy for their stores (especially for that all-important Q4 period). Even if/when E3 goes the way of CES, it will still have a purpose.
As for the press? As someone who's been to E3 three times, I don't know that it's still relevant. Most of E3 reporting can be done from home; press releases, screenshots, and video footage can arm anyone with more than enough ammunition to cover E3. Perhaps there's a bit that would be lost due to lack of playables or interviews with developers, but it's not enough to necessitate press presence like we see now. There is an argument that can be made for mainstream press (Network coverage, AP/Reuters/Gannett), I guess.
That said, I think the ESA has a problem as significant publishers decide to break away from E3 proper and do their own events. If EA's event makes a fair amount of cash for the publisher, I can see more companies following suit in future years. I like the idea, personally; opening to the public brings in added revenue and builds hype. (This is why we saw the ESA go into panic mode this year by doing its own near-site event for the public.)
I'd like to see more of these separate events, spread out from April to September. Why share the spotlight with a metric fuckton of other companies when you can have your own big event?
The ESA is going to have to do some serious thinking moving forward. Should E3 proper continue to be a fairly strict trade show, with meetings and business conducted... or does it go full PAX and open to the public, forcing the hands of publishers who need hype and exposure, and thus decide to have or maintain big presence there?
I'll be very curious to see what happens next year.
As for the press? As someone who's been to E3 three times, I don't know that it's still relevant. Most of E3 reporting can be done from home; press releases, screenshots, and video footage can arm anyone with more than enough ammunition to cover E3. Perhaps there's a bit that would be lost due to lack of playables or interviews with developers, but it's not enough to necessitate press presence like we see now. There is an argument that can be made for mainstream press (Network coverage, AP/Reuters/Gannett), I guess.
That said, I think the ESA has a problem as significant publishers decide to break away from E3 proper and do their own events. If EA's event makes a fair amount of cash for the publisher, I can see more companies following suit in future years. I like the idea, personally; opening to the public brings in added revenue and builds hype. (This is why we saw the ESA go into panic mode this year by doing its own near-site event for the public.)
I'd like to see more of these separate events, spread out from April to September. Why share the spotlight with a metric fuckton of other companies when you can have your own big event?
The ESA is going to have to do some serious thinking moving forward. Should E3 proper continue to be a fairly strict trade show, with meetings and business conducted... or does it go full PAX and open to the public, forcing the hands of publishers who need hype and exposure, and thus decide to have or maintain big presence there?
I'll be very curious to see what happens next year.
Yes and no.
E3 lost a bit of its luster due to the Internet in general. It's easier to get your game out there nowadays and still get a big pop in terms of hype. That being said E3 still has a use to get new footage and impressions out on a large scale from multiple sources at the same damn time. This includes you tubers and such too. That still can't be beat
E3 lost a bit of its luster due to the Internet in general. It's easier to get your game out there nowadays and still get a big pop in terms of hype. That being said E3 still has a use to get new footage and impressions out on a large scale from multiple sources at the same damn time. This includes you tubers and such too. That still can't be beat
darkinstinct
...lacks reading comprehension.
It's been like that since ten years ago.
I don't remember SO MANY E3 announcements coming out so far in advance of E3 before. Really has me wondering just what all is left for the actual conference.
Sure there will be some big stuff, but there's so much that in previous years would surely have been saved but they are just putting it on youtube and other social media instead.
Sure there will be some big stuff, but there's so much that in previous years would surely have been saved but they are just putting it on youtube and other social media instead.
E3 isn't needed.
Publishers, devs and companies having their own Twitter feeds, Facebook pages and youtubers who they use to spread the word. they have their own channels, which gives them far more freedom to pick and choose when releasing news will have the biggest impact.
Maybe E3 is an outdated cost?
Publishers, devs and companies having their own Twitter feeds, Facebook pages and youtubers who they use to spread the word. they have their own channels, which gives them far more freedom to pick and choose when releasing news will have the biggest impact.
Maybe E3 is an outdated cost?
Those channels also don't get as much attention as E3 does.
Monday was busy but there wasn't much yesterday. Probably won't be more than 2-3 other things today.
It mainly seems like smaller announcements that'd get overshadowed at E3 if they all got released at once. In the past you had more publishers who would announce stuff early.
Battlefield 1 reached plenty of people without an E3 reveal.
I think it depends on the game but it does show that E3 is just a show, not THE show.
InsaneTiger
Member
As much as fans of gaming care about the conference, it is still an industry trade conference. So only the industry can determine if it is still meaningful.
Wind's Howling
Member
The E3 is always one of those events where leaks are always happening but with the added 2-3 surprises once it starts.
E3 is here to stay and I like it.
E3 is here to stay and I like it.