The world of video games must attend event, E3, is finally opening its doors to the public for the first time in its history. Previously, the show was there for industry and media attendees, and more recently included gaming influences such as YouTube stars and bloggers. This year, the event will also host 15,000 members of the general public. What a time to be a gamer!
Tickets go on sale on Monday next week, but they’re not cheap. Early Bird tickets cost $150 (£120) whilst the regular tickets are $250 (£200), and allow the holder access to the show floor, panel discussions, and various other events. In comparison, Gamescom held in Germany, the biggest gaming expo in Europe (and largest in the world based on exhibition space and visitor numbers), had tickets costing just €20 (£17). That’s quite a difference, but doesn’t have the allure of being able to say you attended E3.
There had been calls for E3 to open up to the public for many years now, and last year the Entertainment Software Association, who organise the event, conducted an E3 Live event which gave fans the chance to get hands-on with some of the upcoming games, as well as taking part in other events. The free event was completely open to the public, and was located outside the Convention Centre, acting as an experiment to allowing the public into the main E3 show. Attendee enthusiasm was described as being ‘incredible’, and feedback was clear; fans wanted to play inside the centre, whilst exhibitors wanted access to the fans. This year, the two can come together properly. Questions arise each year around E3 and whether it is still relevant; this decision will surely only help put those concerns to bed. It’s funny to think an event that generated more than 65 billion media impressions last year would even be questioned about relevancy, given many view it is the event where launches happen.
I’m sure the 15,000 tickets won’t last long, and if last years event is anything to go by, fans are in for an amazing few days. We saw the Xbox Conference formally announce Project Scorpio, Xbox One S, and custom controllers, whilst Nintendo gave us our first look at Breath of the Wild. Sony showed us their exclusives God of War, Days Gone and Death Stranding, along with new footage from Horizon Zero Dawn and Detroit: Become Human. This amongst other game announcements and footage, including for Mass Effect Andromeda and Ghost Recon Wildlands. What a bumper show last year was. E3 2017 takes place in the Los Angeles Convention Centre, between 13th and 15th June, with more than 200 companies due to attend.
Will you be getting tickets for E3 2017?
