Something New, E3 07

To a somewhat surprised games industry, the E3Expo announced a change last year and told the world that from now on E3 was no longer the big glitzy showcase we had come to expect, E3 2007 is the "E3 Media & Business Summit", swanky.

"The world of interactive entertainment has changed since E3Expo was created 12 years ago. At that time we were focused on establishing the industry and securing orders for the holiday season," said Douglas Lowenstein, President of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo. "Over the years, it has become clear that we need a more intimate program, including higher quality, more personal dialogue with the worldwide media, developers, retailers and other key industry audiences."

How does this affect you and me? Well actually we get a much better deal out of it. We'll still be getting a huge amount of announcements, new information, screenshots and videos over the next few days. We'll even be getting an infamous "Nintendo Media Briefing" where someone like Reggie or Iwata will tell us what Nintendo have in-store for the coming year. So what's actually missing? sadly a bunch of high paid American games journalists won't be getting a big trade show that allow them free games and lots of scantily clad women.

Of course we'll be focusing on Nintendo at this event, but Sony and Microsoft will also be showing off their wares. Nintendo are set to perform their hour long Media Briefing at 9am local time, that's 5pm in the UK. We'd love to offer you a live video feed of the event, but sadly we can't afford it, Google around and you just might find one

Welcome to E3 2007.