E3 06: E3 Expo tweaks Day One hours, access

Opening bell next year will see media and retailers given head start on show floor.

By Staff, GameSpot

Posted Dec 13, 2005 3:57 pm PT

The usual opening-bell frenzy at the annual Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) will be a bit tamer this year. Show organizers said this week they will reserve the opening two hours of E3's first day to preregistered media and retailers only.

While it's not clear what impact the restrictions will have on the usual crush of people who pile into West and South Halls at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the goal seems rooted in an attempt to give the show's primary attendees more hands-on time at kiosks and easier access to special video presentations.

According to E3 Expo organizers, the show floor will be open to those two select groups from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10. Beginning at 11 a.m., all registered attendees will have access to the show floor. In previous years, the show floor has opened at 10 a.m. on opening day.

In another twist to access, show organizers are introducing incentives for members of the press to attend the E3 Conference Program. Media who preregister for the show can purchase a Pick Six pass for the conference program for $120. Pass holders can then attend any six sessions from among the full lineup of 34. Also new this year is a policy that will see a block of 20 seats per session reserved for press only.

The conference program is composed of panel discussions, presentations, and lectures, and runs from May 9 through May 11. Last year's program included exclusive presentations of The Godfather, Call of Duty 2, and King Kong. Top creative and corporate talent from the game industry participate as well. Past participants have included Hideo Kojima, Shigeru Miyamoto, and John Carmack.

Media can begin the preregistration process when E3 Expo opens the gates to the upcoming event on its Web site this coming Thursday. Preregistration will be available to the media only through April 13. E3 2006 runs from May 10 through May 12.

32 Comments

Check comments

First to Last Latest

k-diddy66

too early e3

Posted May 22, 2006 7:38 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

NeoJedi

E3 is always great and GameSpot's coverage is top notch. I wouldn't see myself going to L.A. to attend it though, too much people.

Posted Dec 15, 2005 11:01 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

Father_Time89

Wait E3 is going to be in may. May is the last month of spring Sony promised the PS3 will be released in spring of 2006. That means that Sony will almost undoubtably have playable ps3 demos at e3. Yay.

Posted Dec 14, 2005 3:22 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

insane956dv

Boooo

Posted Dec 14, 2005 10:35 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

townsenda1

I guess that when E3 makes it's way around I know I won't miss a minute. E3 is awesome, gamespot better keep up with the coverage. I don't want to miss anything.

Posted Dec 14, 2005 10:18 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

meischris39

wooo go e3 more g spot coverage i hope

Posted Dec 14, 2005 9:34 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

SavoyPrime

Well, looks like I'll be glued to my pc from May 10-12 then.

Posted Dec 14, 2005 9:17 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

mikekare79

I hope HALO 3 makes an appearance! Even a new Grand Theft Auto or Max Payne would be sweet.

Posted Dec 14, 2005 8:48 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

ghsacidman

It's time to make up a fake game news site and pretend to be press.

Posted Dec 14, 2005 8:47 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

DecepticonZerO

If you work at a game only retailer (GameStop/EB, Gamecrazy..etc) you can get in. I went for the past two years..its a blast. You do miss alot of stuff though, thats why this site is so good. You always score something cool to add to your collection there as well. I got the LoZ:TP DS movie last year. Bought it off a press guy for $10. So go to a gamestop...their hiring holiday help, and if you do alright they will usually keep you on. Easy way to get into E3

Posted Dec 14, 2005 8:37 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

plasma_snake_

I went last year,easiest way to get in is...work for a gaming company,no matter how lack-luster the job is you'll get a badge,of course my job testing games is pretty fun.

Posted Dec 14, 2005 7:30 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

soultaker2004

I Can't wait till the next E3!

Posted Dec 14, 2005 7:28 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

tatu2004

well i think E3 2006 will be a good one can't wait to see what on show..

Posted Dec 14, 2005 6:18 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

ewjim

I'm in Russian federation... I can't see E3 anyway...

Posted Dec 14, 2005 12:56 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

Wait what are the requirements to get into e3? I recently moved to California so getting to E3 won't be a problem I just need to know how to get in.

Posted Dec 13, 2005 9:41 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

whalesex

As tris said, this is really great news for the press members. While alot of people might think of this as "special treatment" or unfair to the common E3 folk, you have to consider that E3 was intended to be a press event. I went last year as a member of the press, and I can honestly say that it was hell trying to get anything done with the insanely long lines and the rabid fan boys/ ebayers who were trying to get their free E3 garb. As a gamer, I totally understand their rabidness for goodies, but now that I am press as well, I understand how hard it is to accomplish anything when people are pushing and shoving.

I really feel that this next year's e3 is going to be much better than last, simply because the focus will be on the games and not the hardware.

Posted Dec 13, 2005 8:49 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

UnlivedPhalanx

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Posted Dec 13, 2005 8:09 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

darkheart73

wow...it's already that time of year again...and just yesterday I thought it was December 12th, about 6 months away from E3...ah yes the holidays

Posted Dec 13, 2005 7:11 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

Trisetta

As somebody who has attended the last four E3's, this is GREAT news. Since I got in with a media badge I was hoping that there would be a full day of media-only, but an extra hour is good enough for me.

Posted Dec 13, 2005 6:22 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

Vopheed

I just hope that whatever they'll do the day of the openin has to do with the PS3, thats all I need to know. Sony owns ur arse ^^

Posted Dec 13, 2005 6:13 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

should be nice for the peeps like Gamespot to not have to shove their way through opening crowds.

Posted Dec 13, 2005 6:08 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

map4000

the TGS idea of making it open to public in a day is really cool,i wish E3 made the some at least for one day.

Posted Dec 13, 2005 5:13 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

epic_nemesis

wait....does that mean i cant pre register if im not in the media?

Posted Dec 13, 2005 5:05 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

zam319

I live in pennsylvania. I never get to join the fun. Got to stream everything from the best site ever.Gamespot....GO STEELERS!...

Posted Dec 13, 2005 4:59 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

QuazarX

Getting into E3 is a lot easier than it seems. You can write an article for your college newspaper about video games and get in. It's the plane ticket and hotel that are the hard part. :-P

Posted Dec 13, 2005 4:51 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

Mit_Man

Does working at GameStop count? >_>

Posted Dec 13, 2005 4:48 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)

Mizumon

I know what you mean - G.A.M.E was meant for those of us who really can't get into E3 because of all the restrictions and what not they have there. However, so long as we have to the footage, I figure we'll be alright.