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An Evolution of E3 announced for 2007

The Entertainment Software Association announced yesterday that E3 will "evolve" into a smaller event beginning in 2007.

While early rumours of the Electronic Entertainment Expo's cancelation proved to be false, the ESA has confirmed that the 12-year old videogame convention will indeed be scaled back in future. With some of the larger publishers reportedly balking at skyrocketing costs, ESA President Doug Lowenstein cited the need for "a more intimate program, including higher quality, more personal dialogue with the worldwide media, developers, retailers and other key industry audiences."

While E3 is an exciting time for gamers, there's no question that the event had become something of a bloated spectacle of excess over the years, with its carnival-like atmosphere actually working against its intended goals of effectively showcasing games to media. This news, then, could signal a welcome change in direction for E3, though that will depend on how the event is restructured, and how quickly the new focus can be implemented. The ESA provided no concrete details for next year's show, other than stating that the current plan is to keep E3 in Los Angeles. According to Lowenstein, "It will focus on press events and small meetings with media, retail, development, and other key sectors. While there will be opportunities for game demonstrations, E3Expo 2007 will not feature the large trade show environment of previous years."

For the most part, adventures remained outside of the competitive, showfloor extravanganzas, opting for exactly the sort of "targeted, personalized meetings" hinted at by the ESA yesterday. This year, we saw 30 adventures at E3, so the ESA's plans will definitely have an impact, though it remains to be seen what the full effect will be.

The ESA claims that additional details about the new E3 will be revealed "in the next few months."

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