Spring rains are ending; the R train tunnel is nearly through with repairs (after being ravaged by Hurricane Sandy); and we're nowhere near Engadget HQ in downtown Manhattan. Alas, it's early summer: time for the Electronic Entertainment Expo once more. The annual game industry trade event, commonly referred to as "E3," unofficially kicks off today in Los Angeles. A quartet of press conferences start at 9AM PT, with Microsoft and Sony bookending the day's proceedings. But wait -- what's all the fuss about? "What's the deal with E3?" you say in your best Jerry Seinfeld voice.
In short, E3 is a big marketing event for the game industry. In reality, E3 is much, much more than that.
WHAT IS IT?
E3 -- the so-called Electronic Entertainment Expo -- is a three-day game industry trade show in Los Angeles, CA. It draws game makers, publishers, marketing and press all into the same venue, the Los Angeles Convention Center, for an annual marketing blitz aimed at showcasing the coming holiday's big games. It's where the CEOs, executives, and game makers of Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and many others make grandiose stage presentations announcing new hardware and software. It's where game consoles are announced, interviews take place, and deals are brokered. It's where Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime originally said, "My body is ready" and where former PlayStation head Kaz Hirai said, "Riiiiiiiidge Racerrrr!" It's the place where many, many gaming memes originated.
James Potter