E3 is a bit of an outlier of the Convention world. It’s not REALLY a convention, it’s a trade show . . . at least, that’s what it had been originally intended to be. The show has had an interesting history, for years Video Game fans clamored to be able to get access to what was supposed to be an event for press and industry professionals to see what the next few years of the industry was going to look like. However, over time, the event would grow in size, Booth Babes would become a thing, and the ESA basically lost control of it. E3 Had grown into a monster.

In 2007 the show was completely restructured, scaled down, and renamed the ‘E3 Media & Business Summit’. This new iteration saw attendance go from around 65k all the way down to 10k and then dropped even further in 2008 to around just 5,000 people. Under pressure from the industry, E3 reverted to its previous format but capped attendance to make sure it didn’t grow into the beast it had been before.

Things are changing though, over the last few events, they’ve begun to let in a limited number of fans and host more events outside the show at the convention center. According to a press release, the next show will be expanding even more. The main show will still be taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in the middle of June (the 11th – 13th) and will be putting more of a focus on featuring never-before-seen content and providing immersive new experiences. They will also have an expanded presence for burgeoning video game sectors, including esports and the independent video game developers.

With Sony not attending this year, it’s going to be interesting to see how the event plays out, what are people going to do now that they can’t argue over whether Sony or Microsoft won the show?

For more information on E3 2019, check out the press release below. Make sure to keep checking in with us for more information about what to expect from E3 2019.

 

Industry Momentum Will Drive E3 2019 to New Heights

Top Brands Commit to Annual Event that Captures the World’s Attention With the Latest Innovations in Interactive Entertainment

WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 15, 2018 – After a record-breaking E3 2018, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced beginning plans for E3 2019. This year’s event will engage attendees and fans through new experiential activations on the showfloor and on social, digital, and online platforms. E3 2019 will be held June 11-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and exhibit space is now available for purchase.

E3 2018 broke all-time tradeshow records, and ESA expects E3 2019 to build upon that positive momentum. E3 2018 generated:

  • A record 2.9 million concurrent viewers on Twitch;
  • More than 15 million tweets;
  • Approximately 55 million Facebook interactions;
  • More than 1.6 billion minutes of E3 content viewed on multiple streaming platforms; and,
  • Over 69 million views of E3’s top video game trailers on YouTube.

“E3 is an outstanding opportunity for us to share new games and experiences with fans and business partners from across the globe,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America President and COO. “Every year, we discuss what will be the best way for us to take advantage of the next E3 show in order to bring smiles to people’s faces.”

“E3 is an incredible platform to showcase the vibrancy and creativity of the video game industry. The ESA continues to expand the event’s reach to fans and the industry, both in attendance and online, and we look forward to what’s ahead at E3 2019,” commented Phil Spencer, executive vice president, Gaming at Microsoft.

With an expanded emphasis on featuring never-before-seen content and providing immersive new experiences for attendees, E3 2019 will be unlike any prior E3. In addition, this year’s E3 will include an expanded presence for burgeoning video game sectors, including esports and the independent video game development community.

“E3 2018 broke records, and we sold out of both exhibit space and attendee badges,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, interim CEO of ESA, the trade association that represents the U.S. video game industry and owns and produces E3. “We are confident that, through the continued creative innovations delivered by our participating member companies, E3 2019 will deliver the same kind of excitement and energy. This year, we’re looking forward to expanding E3 beyond the walls of the LACC and connecting gamers and attendees with incredible video game content throughout the entire LA Live complex.”

“E3 2018 marked the first-ever Fortnite Pro-Am, which brought together people from all corners of the community for the love of the game in support of charitable causes,” said Donald Mustard, worldwide creative director, Epic Games. “We also welcomed attendees into Epic’s largest E3 booth to date, and then threw a Party Royale. Our team made unforgettable memories with players, partners and friends.”

The E3 Coliseum will also return to provide behind-the-scenes discussions and previews from celebrities and video game leaders. The E3 Coliseum in 2018 hosted Westworld’s series creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy; Elijah Wood; Bethesda Softworks’s Todd Howard; an all-star celebrity reading of Grim Fandango with special guest Jack Black; and Camilla Luddington, performance artist for Lara Croft. The 2018 E3 Coliseum, which five platforms livestreamed, had more than 3.4 million video views.

Among the leading video game companies already committed to participating in E3 2019 are: Microsoft/Xbox, Nintendo of America, Activision, Bethesda Softworks, Capcom, Epic Games, Konami Digital Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive Software, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

Consumer tickets, which sold out in 2018, will go on-sale in early-2019 at www.E3Expo.com.

Companies interested in exhibiting at E3 2018 should contact Max Roche via email at mroche@dolaherevents.com or Exhibit Sales via the E3 website at www.E3Expo.com.

About ESA

ESA offers a wide range of services to interactive entertainment software publishers, including conducting business and consumer research; providing legal and policy analysis and advocacy on First Amendment, intellectual property, and technology/e-commerce issues; managing a global content protection program; owning and operating E3; and representing video game industry interests in federal and state government relations. For more information, visit or follow us on Twitter at @theESA or@ESAGovAffairs.

About E3

E3 is the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products. The show is owned by ESA, the US association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the internet. For more information, please visit www.E3Expo.com or follow E3 on Facebook @E3Expo or Twitter @E3.