New E3 2016 Satellite Event Free and Open to the Public

The annual E3 gaming show in Los Angeles is not open to the public. This is not changing for 2016, but a new "E3 Live 2016" event will let anyone in the area check out games and meet industry personalities.

E3 Live is being billed as a "new, one-of-a-kind celebration of video games" and "E3's first-ever gathering for gamers."

Tickets are free, but are described as being in "limited" quantity. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The tickets are not yet available, but you can register here to grab them as soon as they become available.

The event, which runs for a limited number of hours on June 14, 15, and 16, is held at LA Live. This is right next to the Los Angeles Convention Center, the site of E3 proper. It's open to all ages, but people under 17 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The E3 Live website explains there will be games, gadgets, and gear to check out, while there will also be live music and dance competitions. On top of that, attendees can partake in "one-of-a-kind" photo ops and check out virtual reality demos. There will also be merchandise available to buy at the event.

According to Kotaku, demos from companies like Ubisoft, Warner Bros., Alienware, and Oculus VR, among others, will be at the show. Head to the E3 Live 2016 website to learn more.

The Entertainment Software Association, which puts on E3 every year, is also behind E3 Live.

E3 2016 officially runs June 14-16, though the big briefings begin earlier. Both Electronic Arts and Ubisoft will conduct their press conferences on Sunday, June 12, while Microsoft and Sony will follow with their own shows on June 13.

The E3 2016 show floor this year will look different than in years past, as Electronic Arts, Activision, Disney, and Wargaming have decided they won't have booth space. These are some of the biggest companies in gaming, but their lack of presence this year doesn't mean E3 is losing its relevance, according to the ESA.

The question, "Is E3 still relevant?" gets asked every year, ESA VP Rich Taylor said earlier this year. "And then gets answered in June of that same year with a resounding 'yes,'" he said.

Some have suggested that letting consumers in might help boost the profile of the show. Taylor said he has heard this suggestion and explained that the ESA will be "taking a hard look" to see what can be done. While the show itself is not being opened to the public, at least not this year, it looks like the ESA is taking steps to include the wider gamer community with E3 Live.