E3 '07: Gamecock holds 'funeral' for E3

Indie publisher commiserates over the death of the massive spectacle that was the game industry's old trade show.

Gamecock's Harry Miller delivers his rousing eulogy.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--It's an interesting sight: a top-hat-coiffed, shirtless man on stilts, draped in black, rocking a cigarette in one hand and a red, frat-party Dixie cup full of booze in the other. More so at a funeral. But alas, such was the scene at Gamecock's send-off of the old Electronic Entertainment Expo on Friday night.

Kicking off not-so-promptly at 4:20 p.m., the The Nightmare Before Christmas–esque procession--full of misfits and degenerates, game programmers and game journalists--ambled forth from Gamecock's swanky setup at the Hotel California on Ocean Avenue, unceremoniously halting traffic without the typical police escort, much to the dismay of bewildered motorists stuck on one-way streets.

Once on the beach, a contingent of Santa Monica's finest did arrive, though seemingly only to chat up the scantily clad dancers in the procession. As the spectacle meandered on, a palpable wave of discomfort was left in its wake as the otherwise pristine day on Venice Beach was marred by a marching jazz band's upbeat death fugue and Gamecockers ran up and down the line, herding the throng along. By far the highlight of the brief jaunt was an unfortunate, and ongoing, string of wardrobe malfunctions experienced by none other than Gamecock cofounder Mike Wilson, as the hospital gown he was wearing flapped in the wind.

Is this the end?

At long last, the parade reached its destination, a phallic concrete outcropping outside "on the waterfront cafe" on Venice Beach. Here, Gamecock's other cofounder, Harry Miller, delivered a brief yet succinct eulogy for the metaphorical bloated corpse the group had come to bury and called for a new era in game development that is dominated not by sequels and annuals, but by creativity and the reemergence of quality.

For Gamecock, that means publishing upcoming releases such as Hail to the Chimp, Dementium: The Ward, and Insecticide. As Miller wrapped up his speech, the wake closed with another ditty by the marching band, accompanied by a rousing performance by the conspicuously limber dancers. And, with that, the sun set once more on the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

200 Comments

  • rachkovsky

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 2:02 pm PT

    WQeird

  • RockaWuzHur

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 8:03 am PT

    Gamecock hasn't even published any decent games! Come back when you've got at least one triple A title.

  • MadGamer132

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 1:51 pm PT

    will Gamecock some good titles is a indie company, but if they contuine to bash e3 like they are goping to do, we might shut them up. please shut up, e3 is NOT Dead, it is just different.

  • leon41235

    Posted Dec 14, 2007 7:20 pm PT

    I'm quite interested in some of there upcoming titles. They might be pretty nice.

  • Ratpads

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 3:03 am PT

    too bad about E3 lol

  • magicmo

    Posted Jul 29, 2007 3:30 pm PT

    Gamecock's founder sounded like he lived up to the company's namesake.

  • PHeMoX

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 1:24 pm PT

    The thing about creativity ís true in all cases. By the time big companies have swallowed indie game developers it's down the drain with creativity, only clones will be supported by the big publishers, since those 'sort of' proven they can make them some money.

    Anyone who disagrees with this doesn't know how publishers handle 'creative ideas', and I'm speaking out of experience right here. Most big publishers are terrified about new and creative ideas! You know why? Because there's no way they can estimate whether or not such a game would sell. The big publishers are only out to make money not to sell a creative product, come on don't be ignorant.

  • mega324386

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 11:40 am PT

    E for all it exists proof is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_for_all It is the rebirth of the old E3, sorta no one mentions it come on

  • galduke

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 6:10 pm PT

    *sigh* Indie game developers always go on about the lack of creativity in this and the lack of quality that, and claim they have the cure. Their games are enjoyed by a few, ignored by many, and then they get picked up by some major publisher. The new games has a wider release, more people hate it, and the developers blame it on "lack of creative control", which may be true in some cases, but not all. If, however, said game is a success, a sequel is made and becomes a known and established franchise. Newer games take lessons from said game and adjust game designs to keep up with the competition. New indie game developers complain about the lack of whatever, and the process starts over again. To bad some of those companies "sold out", otherwise the gaming world would be free of corporations poisoning us with over hyped crap, and we would be free to swim about in a sea of underfunded titles with untested game play mechanics, it would be like being a beta tester, but WE pay THEM (welcome to Soviet Russia)! But who cares about the process, they're attention whores.

  • Digitised

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 7:25 am PT

    game what??...

  • dryden555

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 6:18 am PT

    I went to gamecock's website and their games might be fun in an XBOX Live sorta way -- who knows until they come out.

  • kenerhai

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 4:49 pm PT

    I really dont see how you people can call them "attention whores." So every game company that stages an event to have fun and make a point is an attention whore. wtf ever. some people are just clueless and the point is lost. Its this kind of disregard of small developers and their teams that lead to tragic loss of creativity and original ideas. Like what happened to Clover Studios.

  • LuffyUzumaki

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 2:13 pm PT

    Of course we knew it was dead before it even started this year.

  • ftjx

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 11:22 am PT

    I agree that the old E3 is dead and THATS sad....but the thing about publishers not taking risk with new and innovative gameplay THATS just something that will allways be there..........

  • Bloodhawk_DX

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 10:21 am PT

    Agreed. Gamecock is just attention whoring.

  • goddessakasha

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 9:23 am PT

    Gamecock are the new attention whores of the industry.

  • keyhunter

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 6:36 am PT

    I'm pretty sure they made Stubbs the zombie, which was awesome though short.

  • kenerhai

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 4:23 am PT

    im not brown nosing anyone, but i firmly believe its small companys like gamecock that bring innovation to the industry, and it just aggrivates me when people post uneducated comments like "who are they, who cares, or I don't know who they are so their games must suck". Obviously these guys are known enough to warrent an event such as this.

    Take a little time out of your busy lives to get to know a small developer or two. And no, I certainly do not play EA games, except Burnout or Need for speed games. And yea, maybe my comment on being a gamer was a little bit much, but so many gamers take for granted how many smaller development teams have made a major hit and went on to make the hits we love.

  • Cobhamar

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 3:38 am PT

    I agree that the game industry has to be putting out more creative and innovative games. But in my oppinion, theres nothing wrong with a game series such as the Metal Gear Solid games or Final Fantasy. As long as they grow the game from the previous one to make it a different expierience.

  • football_legend

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 1:22 am PT

    Give us the old E3 back

  • EtherealTML

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 10:43 pm PT

    Let all the businessmen and corporate types have their "new" E3. Tell me when they bring back the "old E3" or something like it for the true gamers!

  • lamprey263

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 10:16 pm PT

    Screw E3 being disappointing, that's been aparant since last week... wait, people were saying this ever since last year.

    But forget about E3; why is GameSpot so dead? There was game news I had to see on MSNBC that didn't even get posted. Something about a man and wife... or was it boyfriend of girlfriend(?), anyhow, they they were so into playing games they neglected their kids to the point they were near death (all starving and malnourished with not even enough muscle to support their necks)... and GameSpot hasn't even posted anything about this yet, that really makes me frown on GameSpot for taking it too easy after E3.

  • glitchgeeman

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 10:15 pm PT

    I do agree that the true E3 is kind of dead now. I mean, last year, E3 was huge, but this year, I barely even noticed it. As for the comment about sequels, annuals, etc, I kind of agree with that as well. If you notice, practically ever single big "epic" game that was shown at E3 was a shooter except for Super Mario Galaxy and MP:Corruption.

  • blackguy87

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 10:11 pm PT

    kenerhai, your kidding right? You talk all this crap about "fat-cat companies" but this is a world fueled by money, and no matter how much you cry about, you will most likely continue to buy games from companies like EA. So quit hating!

    ps. I don't have to play any of the games you listed to be considered a true gamer!

  • Bulldog19892

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 9:30 pm PT

    I do agree there is a lack of innovation in modern gaming. It seems to be just shooter after shooter. We need more games that have creative premises like Hitman, and we need some games that bring back that fluid, flowing control and gameplay of Mario and Devil May Cry.

    These guys though, are definatly not the guys we can count on to do this.

  • sheepblood

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 9:24 pm PT

    Hey kenerhai, how much did gamecock pay you for those two bloated comments glorifying a group whose most well known game Hail to the Chimp, or Fury? Maybe they didnt pay you at all, maybe you just couldnt stand the fact that some other posters don't care about the article. But you couldn't let them have their opinions and get away with them could you?

  • 0011992288

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 9:01 pm PT

    Er...um...drama much?

  • Mustang92382

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 8:59 pm PT

    kenerhai If you don't know who Gamecock is or what games they are making or why you should care about them, then you shouldn't consider yourself a gamer.

    ------------------

    Sheesh don't sound like a company PR rep or anything.

    I guess I'm not a "gamer" because I don't know every indie company on the planet.

    That's fine, I still enjoy my games which is all that really matters.

  • Saphire_Kitsune

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 8:58 pm PT

    How stupid...

  • deveets1

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 8:58 pm PT

    I really don't get what the big deal on E3 is. I thought it was still the same just with less drunken chatter in the backround. As for these guys...I'll take Halo 3 or another GTA over any of those rediculous games any day.

  • ultrazone

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:38 pm PT

    E3 really was DOA this year. It was all about getting psyched about games. Not only showing of the newest and latest, but making a show of it.

  • lilmp89

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:34 pm PT

    wow...

    I guess they were just too obsessed at the lack of the insanity that was the old E3, that they missed the great outcome that is E307. If they want such a crazy unfullfilling party, they should go to Mexico and get wasted...

  • kenerhai

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:30 pm PT

    If you don't know who Gamecock is or what games they are making or why you should care about them, then you shouldn't consider yourself a gamer.
    Hail to the Chimp, Mushroom Men, Hero, Fury, and Insecticide. Covering multiple consoles. These are the kind of games that give us something outside of the inevitable sequels and broken rip offs. This is the kind of development team that gives bloated pigs like EA a run for their money.

  • kenerhai

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:20 pm PT

    I give a **** about Gamecock. They are out to create a slew of original, fresh, interesting games. This is a group of guys who believe that games should come from creative minds, not what a money hungry corporate umbrella thinks will bring in the money. I'm looking forward to a number of titles from them that could spin the indie game market on its ear. And I think it's time a few of you unoriginal juvenile twits grow up and get past the Bevis and Butthead humor level.

  • zhemos88

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:14 pm PT

    Gamecock? Could careless about some attention whore dorks. All their games suck and will never sell. They need to go jump in a lake. No one freaking cares.

  • mpeg3s

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:13 pm PT

    RIP E3. I was there EVERY year but 2007. Could have gone 07, but I didn't like the V.I.P. Billy Gates atmosphere.

    I don't think the unpaid athletes and celebrities will goto the show any more.

  • ShirkDawg

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:04 pm PT

    Who gives a **** about gamecock, come on i mean they were obviously looking for attention with a name like that. And gamespot loves the name apparently.

  • RorshachV

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 7:01 pm PT

    hilarious if a bit weird

  • Owned_Noob posted Jul 16, 2007 6:40 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Owned_Noob

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 6:40 pm PT (hide)

    GAME COCK

  • Owned_Noob

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 6:38 pm PT

    GAME COCK

  • Talgrath

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    Hehehe, I am amused.

  • loumart08

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 6:30 pm PT

    dryden555

    Some of our younger Gamespot subscribers dont get the intentionally silly humor with the mock funeral. The old E3 was indeed bloated and expensive and pointless for the game industry to hold every year. E3 was never meant for tons of teenage consumers to go to. Consumers simply didnt belong at any trade show of any sort. Game Industry folks were clear they didnt want consumers hanging out at E3 and they were even more clear they were no longer intersted in setting up booths in a future E3. So E3 folded. Now do you get the humor in the mock funeral? its a joke created for the game industry to have a laugh. gamecock = sarcastic and ironic = went way over the head of gamspot member legendkillerh2


    Thats not true either out of the 3 years in a row I went to E3 Developers never treated people like they didn't belong, I mean who were the concerts, booth babes and all the kickass demos for, not for the suits that's for sure, and they always acknowledged us gamers and consumers, because honestly without the "consumer" E3 would have never of survived. There was always time for business, like the the first three days behind closed doors for industry suits, and the rest was for fun. Im sad that people who went will probably not get to experience the awesome good fun of E3.

  • polsci1503

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 6:23 pm PT

    I wouldn't be surprised if E3 returns to some scaled down version of what E3 was before.If that happens Gamecock will have to come up with a pagan ritual for E3's rebirth. Only fair right? Seriously though, Gamecock is one company that can deliver some of that content. There are others like Starbreeze, Bioware and Irrational that show you can do it on a big scale too.

  • loumart08

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 6:21 pm PT

    that's pretty effing ballsy, I'm glad they did that

  • gametester1424

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 5:26 pm PT

    I really hope that companies like GameCock and other Indie devs can breath some life into the industry before all we have to play is revamped retro titles and sequels. Go GameCock!!! Shine on your crazy kids!

  • lettuceman44

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 4:58 pm PT

    Gamecock...............................................
    wtf are they, and why do we care what they think?

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 4:53 pm PT

    ok?

  • teh_avenger

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 4:46 pm PT

    two words... GAMECOCK...

  • ProjectPat187

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 4:38 pm PT

    GAMECOCK , LOL

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