Revitalizing The Videogame Trade Show 25
Thanks to GamesTM for its feature discussing the current state of the videogame trade show. Although shows such as this year's E3 were more exciting, the article argues: "The likes of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) and the Tokyo Game Show have recently been accused of being dull, predictable or lacking substance. Last year, there was no ground-breaking news, no earth-shattering games (only updates of ones we already knew about), and some companies didn't even turn up." Simon Byron of Barrington Harvey makes the point: "In this media-savvy world, information is readily accessible, so of course there are fewer opportunities to be surprised - which is what I think is at the heart of most people's criticisms of trade shows." In light of our previous coverage of trade show significance, how do you see videogame trade shows evolving?
Internet (Score:5, Insightful)
In the days of the SNES and the Megadrive we'd have to wait around 2 months (by the time it's written up and printed) for news in games magazines.
These days we get the latest news within hours/days on gaming sites. (And on slashdot we even get repeats.
Re:Internet (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't even know what the frick "push" means in that context, but it did give a new perspective on E3 being considered dull. It's dull if you're a jaded journalist or gamer who grew up on 8- and 16-bit gaming. If you're 17, or a new gamer, there's nothing dull about it.
Re:Internet (Score:3, Funny)
I don't even know what the frick "push" means in that context...
I'm thinking he's referring to the employment of peristalsis [wikipedia.org].
Re:Internet (Score:2)
Re:Internet (Score:2)
In all seriousness, it used to be that companies would work towards the big trade shows. "Jenkins, your team needs to come up with somethign really big for the trade show." "You bet, chief!"
That doesn't happen anymor, since the publishers simply release information any time they like. They're no longer on a media release schedule.
I suspect that this attitude has also been the cause of the increasin
They already have... (Score:1)
Next week is SIGGRAPH [siggraph.org] its even in the same place as E3 was this year. It also has some of the surprises you used to see in these trade shows such as Comdex and E3.
Re:They already have... (Score:2)
Lack of risks (Score:5, Insightful)
How do you see videogame trade shows evolving? (Score:2, Funny)
Booth babes with EVEN BIGGER hooters!
-1 Unfunny
+1 True
Easy. (Score:3, Interesting)
Get the 'rock star' factor back.
Trade-show rules should be relaxed a little... this little fascist state that gets created in "Exhibit Hall X" is tiring, and after a day of it any sane person is -exhausted-
Bring back some of the party factor. There is no identity at trade shows - there needs to be one.
Imagine if someone with a little rock star factor hosted the show, and there was actual stunts and PR capers worth having news written about
Re:Easy. (Score:2, Interesting)
I attended a DAoC Fan Meet in Washington, DC a few years ago and have to say that was the best and most informative time I ever had concerning a game I played. We actually got to have dinner with "Lum the Mad" (I forget his real name) who was a developer
Re:Easy. (Score:1)
But SYNTH-DIY [synth.net] is nothing but rest, rejuvenation, and revitalization... much more intimate, much more fun, and not nearly as much stress
Re:Easy. (Score:2, Informative)
Do you know it costs ~$100 to rent a $3 trashcan for 3 days at a tradeshow? Typically, you cannot use a screwdriver at your booth. You cannot use a power str
Re:Easy. (Score:1)
Move the whole show to someone's party-friendly warehouse or something
I don't know about anyone else.... (Score:1)
Re:I don't know about anyone else.... (Score:1)
It's cyclical, damn neophytes. (Score:2)
Trade shows follow console life cycles, naturally because game development follows console life cycles.
Last year was the year of utmost stagnation for the current generation, while the years before it were still "prime" and the years following will be where companies try to hype the next machine.
Video Game Olympics! (Score:1)
Less is more. (Score:3, Insightful)
They could put some of the suprise back in the show by not giving out Best of Show E3 Awards to games 2 years in a row, or even better, not giving those awards out to games that aren't going to be out within the next year.
It's just like movies that release trailers for their movie 1 year in advance. You can't possibly expect me to care for that long.
E3 could be significant again if they didn't leak every big surprise 3 days before the actual announcement.
It could also be made better by not acting like you have a big announcement and hpying things up that are not that interesting in the least, you know, like Sega pulling that crap they did this year. ("Hey! We're co-publishing the Matrix Online!")
You gotta have Kentia Hall, and you gotta have your Phantoms, Gizmondo, and other spectacular failure ideas...they make the place look crowded, and give everyone an easy to find Worst of Show.
So, if they had less games displayed, games that we could play, and determine what would be worthy in the next 6 months, that'd make for a much better show. As it is, you're overwhelmed with like 500 titles, and there's no way you can get a feel for one game without ignoring the rest, and every single game is competing to be that one that you ignore the others for.
Re:You all don't get it. (Score:2)
Way to get your one big game all this buzz generated for it that it can't possibly sustain for 2 years.
I've worked both sides of the show, as the Media, and as the Exhibitor. I know what both sides are looking for, and NOBODY'S needs are met by showing off a 10%