E3 '09 tops 41,000, E3 '10 already booked
By
Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor
E3 2009: ESA declares trade show's return to large-scale format a success, will be back at the Los Angeles Convention Center June 15-17 next year.
LOS ANGELES--The Entertainment Software Association set out to make this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo reflect the energy and excitement surrounding one of the fastest growing entertainment industries in the world. The energy and excitement are difficult to quantify, but the show had "fastest growing" down pat.
As the final day of E3 2009 kicked off, the ESA announced that the show played host to more than 41,000 attendees. Last year's invite-only show brought only 5,000 people to the same venue, while the last large-format show, E3 2006, had over 60,000. ESA president Michael Gallagher described this year's show as successful for the group's members and exhibitors "in terms of sales, business development, and profile-building."
The ESA wasn't the only party pleased with the show. Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello, one of the most vocal critics after last year's event, had nothing but good things to say about this year's expo.
"The ESA has put on a great show for the game industry," Riccitiello said. "E3 2009 reflected the vitality, innovation, and global presence of a rapidly growing industry. I'm already looking forward to next year's event."
Take-Two Interactive president Ben Feder was also effusive in his praise. "I think this is much more reflective of what the video game business is," he told GameSpot. "It's not just a showcase. I think it projects the right characteristics of the industry: growth and excitement."
Feder also felt E3 2009 was more effective in terms of deal-making than the smaller-scale insider events of 2007 and 2008 and the massive confabs that preceded it. "I think there's more business being done this year than any time in the last five years," he declared. "Retailers are here--over 100 retailers, last I heard. And when you talk to publishers about getting business done, relationships with retailers is a big deal."
As for E3 2010, the ESA announced that it would return again to the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event will take place slightly later on the calendar, running June 15-17 of next year.
By
Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor
Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Time for E3 already? Always seems to sneak up on me.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! E3 BACK
yeah !!!
this is sucks
Now I'll have to wait till the end of school next year to find out my gaming future... Prototype sequel, Assassin's Creed 3, Halo 4...all games I'm hoping for.
WOOHOO!
cool! i can't wait til next year when i won't be one of the thousands of people there
Agreed. The original format should have never been changed.
i love crack
Good to see that E3 is back to greatness. Not as extravagant and insane as 96-98 but it's definitely more ordered.
Very great show
its good to have back the biggest annual game party in USA
Congrats
Good comeback E3
Think it'll be open to the public again next year, ticket wise? I'd kill to go.
I am going to this. I already am excited. Like counting down the days to something important.
Finally going to E3 next year YEAH!!!!!!!!!
I already miss E3. :(
Good to hear next year will have a similar venue.
Yeah it was a big year this year...
Definitely a reinvention of the expo and a success from a consumers point of view as well. Although we can't see or hear all the behind-the-scenes deals going on, the amount of information and content we got from the show was superb. _
Can't wait for next year's. This year was fantastic.
Tony Hawk showing his still got moves :D
June 15?
I used to always want to go, but now, I think I'm content with the live streaming.
YAY =D can't wait!!
E3 was Awesome..........
Man i cant wait for E3 ALRDY lol
Microsoft went all-out for their press conference. Steven Spielberg, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
i wish E3 could come 2 chicago.
Wow it is not even the ending of this year and then they already booked it up for next year.
E3 is back in black and better than ever.
ah great i have exams from june 15 to 17 next year
Guess who`s back? Back again! E3 rocks. Its a good thing its doing well.
The old E3 is back and here to stay, thank god.
Awesome
Study in 3D animation or something like that can get you in as well.
Actually to attend E3 you need to be part of a game company, media, or retaler. But you can always start a small home busniess(ie just a game site). It doesnt have to be big and it doesnt have to survive just need it to survive long enough to go to E3.
Wow. So what will we see next year? New game systems?
never thought they could save it tbh but this e3 has been exellent to watch, onwards and upwards from here lets hope.
glad that the old e3 will be back again and that its in june. wish it was around this time next year but its better that its at the beginning of the summer for me cause i get out of school like a few weeks before e3 happens.
Finally E3 is back!!
good to see footage with people in the background and commotion
Nice so is E3 open to the public because if it is I might hit it up in person next, and i actually liked the early E3 less wait =D
i read in their website its not open to the general public and you have to be qualified to attend is that really true?
How do you get tickets to E3
Alright gamespot lets see a countdown to next years E3
Thats the way e3 is ment to be. glad its back and will be staying the same for at least the near-future
As my first E3 I have to say it was a blast. There was a large crowd there but never any really really long lines to play anything. I waited max 15 minutes to play some games. It was a perfect balance.
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