Is E3 Losing Its Luster?

VG Republic Writes: It seems as though everyone wants off the boat right now, the E3 boat that is. The trade show that has been the largest consumer video game show in the U.S. for the last decade and has only grown in popularity with the inclusion of the average gamer being allowed access to the show; web-streams allow those, that can’t attend, at home to still enjoy the action. However, over the last year the once mecca for showing off the latest in gaming seems to be losing its luster just a bit. While there will be the usual suspects at the show, some of the larger companies such as Nintendo are choosing to scale back their delivery to a more intimate booth showing than taking the large stage and joining the likes of Microsoft and Sony. Not only that, via Twitter, Doug Lombardi a Valve software employee got confirmation from the parent company that they would not be attending E3 at all this year. What is going on around here? A few years back companies were leaping at the opportunity to jump on stage to show off what they had done, but now it seems as though people are jumping off and to other avenues to bring forth their latest creations. Why is E3 losing the luster it once had?

[cl1983]

It's all about diminishing returns. Its silly to spend hundred of thousands or millions if your business can't substantially re coop those funds.

[VirtualKatz]

You are 100% right CL that is exactly what companies are thinking about, how to maximize the all mighty dollar!

[jimbobwahey]

Or alternatively the only reason that Nintendo and Valve aren't holding conferences is because they have nothing to show.

E3 isn't losing its luster at all, it's just that certain companies don't have anything to show and so they're saving themselves the embarrassment.

[fairyblaster]

lol . would this article even be if Nintendo hadn't abandoned E3 like they did?

[KyRo]

After this year, everything will be usual business at E3. You can't really blame Sony or MS for holding their own events this year to show what their next consoles are capable of before E3. I highly doubt Sony or MS will host their events annually from now on. They just need to get their foot out the door and start generating that buzz then hit us with details we weren't told about at their E3 conference.

Me personally, I'm looking more forward to E3 this year than ever.

[Wenis]

As long as theres booth babes the LUSTer will never be lost

[THEMIGHTYDOOVDE]

@jimbobwahey Spoken like a true fanboy.

Maximum negativity, minimum evidence!

[Minato-Namikaze]

Companies skip E3 every year, why are people making this out to be a big thing?

[Hicken]

The ONLY reason is because Nintendo is skipping out on having a big presser. Somehow, that's supposed to overshadow the unveiling of their competition's next gen consoles.

Honestly, I'm a little disappointed that they're passing up on that, but I imagine it's because they just don't have enough to show off. And as one of the big three, that's a little worrying. I hope they're working to rectify that shortcoming, as I want more than three games to play for Wii U.

[showtimefolks]

So just because Nintendo isn't there it's not longer E3? Or the fun of E3?

Sony will show off its system
Show new PSN
PSN plus
Bunch of games
Many new relationships with publishers for either exclusive DLC or with developers over exclusive games
Than there is the whol indie scene which Sony showed off at Their last event
Pricing,release date and launch games

Sow software got its with possibly price cut
Maybe a price cut for PS3 and ensure everyone that ps3 will be supported for a while

Ms shows of next Xbox
Pricing,release date
MS likes to make huge splashes so maybe some big developer or publisher on stage to show a muti platform game
New xblive experience possibly cutting price or offering free to play online?(I seriously doubt it)
Games
Games
Games
Smart glass
Kinect 2
And bunch of media related apps

Talk about xbox360 getting support for a while and cutting the price, this I have to see to believe since original Xbox was taken off the shelf pretty quick after new box

GTA5
Agent
Next kingdom heart
FF13 versus
Last guardian
Watch dogs
ND new game
Possibly a new Forza
A proper Fable

Than all the so called new IP's that these publishers have been holding back because t doesn't make sense to release new IP's later in the gen when Sony is doing just that along with capcom with remember me and watch dogs

Show us the games

If anything this will be one of the most excited E3's in recent memory

Nintendo has said they hav a lot to show so lets see I will see it to believe it. Show me games for wiiu which are coming in 2013, don't tell me about TBA or coming in 2014 meaning fall 2014

IMO Nintendo is making a huge mistake, wiiu will be a forgotten device with ps4 and next Xbox so IMO Nintendo should have been at E3 and should have tried to make huge splashes but I guess not. Instead of trying to compete with ms or Sony they are skipping and than they wonder why wiiu was outsold by Vita in Japan few weeks back

[sdozzo]

Agreed.

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

I wish it was just pure gameplay trailers and gameplay footage of new games, back to back.

Leave the dancing guys in blue ponchos out of it please.
And no 30 minute wonderbook demos either..

[Fierce Musashi]

lol I second that.

[dasbeer88]

I third it.

[colonel179]

fourth it

[Raccoon]

I fith it.

[Zezo]

c-c-c-c-combo breaker!!

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I agree but with all the investors and none gaming press active. Sony and MS feel the need to impress them as well as of course gamers.

E3 of 2012 was easily my least favorite E3. Not only was the big 3 lackluster but all the other big players decided to skip the event.

Heres hoping E3 of this year is mind blowing.

EDIT: @Jakeman

Right ACIII was a good showing along with Watch Dogs, Halo and Last of Us. There were some high moments but it seemed there were no surprises.

AC was already announced Sony announced The Last Of Us. Halo was announced in 2011. Watchdogs was the biggest surprise for me.

You mention last years E3 was very "2004 esqe" I didn't see that conference was it that bad?

[JakemanPS31994]

last year had some great demo with watch_dogs, last of us, and assassin creed 3 but for the most part very 2004 esqe in the announcement and excitment level. most likely this year will be more 2005.

[cl1983]

The real question is if Nintendo can get better buzz from yelling on the gaming floor then a theater stage.

[JakemanPS31994]

if memory serves me correctly not bad per se but just very predictable with the most anticipated not even on the show floor (gta san andreas).

[JakemanPS31994]

yah i notice you will alawys have those embarrassing press conference moments but imo it dont deter from the whole experience. My favorite time of the year!

[MadLad]

Being that many big names aren't even attending this year, yes. At least for this year it has lost its luster.

[Dunpeal]

yeah seems like each year for the past years developers have gotten less bold and E3 has just been pretty meh

[arbitor365]

the sony and microsoft conferences will be awesome and will probably be viewed by more people than any e3 press conferences in the last 3 or more years

so no. E3 this year is going to at its best.

[JakemanPS31994]

i dont agree. i still think E3 is great expo! I mean last years was okay but i think thats mainly because of this year with the PS4 and NextBox. e3 will be around as long we have video games..... unless you guys wanna go back to the CES style

[StreetsofRage]

Not this years that's for sure. Having been this excited for a E3 in a long time.

[Agent_hitman]

It's because of MS and Sony's reveal of next gen hardwares. They will steal the show 100%.

[majiebeast]

I think a lot of focus is gonna be on the next gen twins and thats why Nintendo is opting out, same for 2K why be somewhere when the eyes are focused on Sony and Microsoft when you dont really have much to show. They arent gonna have live demo's of GTA5 on the showfloor they never have and all their other big titles already came out like Borderlands 2 and Bioshock:I.

E3 isnt dying its still the best way for all different branches of the industry to meet and i dont just mean developers like at GDC but PR etc.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Exactly. But realistically, I think the big reason why Nintendo won't be there is because no matter what Nintendo show, announce, tease will ultimately get trolled by the majority of media and fans.

Because whatever the next gen twins show off will make anything that's not on par with their offerings will look irrelevant.

Now Nintendo fans and casual gamers will be very excited at what Nintendo will be offering and announcing. Where as everyone else will be basking in what Sony and MS are doing.

Like I said it wasn't gonna matter in the first place what Nintendo were gonna show at E3 this year. Because fanboys will troll, while gamers and media will be "underwhelmed" at Nintendo. That's not even remotely fair.

I personally will be paying attention to Nintendo's Direct videos. Its simple and you can watch it on your own time Nintendo's not forcing anyone.

[Bathyj]

Sony an MS's E3 are going to be huge.
If Nintendo had anything to scream from the rooftops about they would be doing it.
Also isnt this Steambox supposed to be coming out, yet weve heard nothing. The average Joe probably hasnt even heard of it.
I figure Valve dont want to be lost in the chaos, theyre going to leave E3 to Sony and MS. Nintendo? Who knows what theyre thinking. They really should be out there shaking their monkey makers.

[JackVagina]

New consoles and next gen games are about to be shown off, how is it losing its luster...?

This will be one of the biggest E3s ever

[steven83r]

Been to E3 many times and have to say it is losing it's appeal. I mean after going a few times i would never pay $800 like some people or fly from Europe unless it was all paid for. But they did cut back on a lot of things. The swag has sucked for over 3 years. Now you have to work for it or raffle. Before you would get demos, games, figurines, keyboards, toys and so on. Last year i got a shirt and key chains. Decent stuff was win competitions only. And demos for awesome games like Watch Dogs and others were Media special invite only. Oh well. This year is gonna be Epic!

[CEOSteveBallmer]

No its not losing!!. Nintendo will be there and will have so many booths to showcase. How can you say E3 is losing luster when the 2 next gen consoles are being revealed??

[sway_z]

Articles such as this one get written about E3 every year and it's stale now. E3 is one of the greatest gaming/electronic consumer shows on Earth!

I suspect the article's writer was motivated by Nintendo having limited presence at E3.

Yes some software co's such as Valve etc will not be there either, but you can bet your last dime Valve would have attended E3 had the Steambox been closer to market.

E3 is very relevant and I thoroughly look forward to both Sony & MS's involvement :)

[ps3_pwns]

nope e3 better then ever its nintendo who is losing its luster lol. just because nintendo sucks doesnt mean e3 does. shows how nintendo fanboys follow whatever nintendo does no matter how stupid it is. nintendo could have no controller when they release their next system and you just watch the games like a video and nintendo fanboys would say its the best idea ever because they rather just watch the world of mario then play lol.

[kevnb]

E3 became pointless when everyone started getting connected to the internet. Its still a fun show for geeks, but it has no real value.