The Entertainment Software Association is set to make some rather significant changes to the annual gaming trade event, E3. Starting from E3 2020, it hopes to turn the event into a "fan, media, and influencer festival".
The news comes from an E3 2020 planning document, as reported on by GameDaily.biz. In a pitch deck reportedly intended for the lobbying group’s members, ideas including "experience hubs" and influencer and paid celebrity deals were shared, with one example suggesting that members of the Los Angeles Lakers could play a basketball video game in front of fans.
There's also talk of an app which could help with lengthy wait times, which GameDaily.biz notes could act like the 'FastPass' system found in amusement parks, allowing players to register for demo slots rather than queue for too long. Having said that, the ESA also plans to adopt what it is calling “queuetainment” in a bid to market to those who are stuck waiting to take part in an experience.
Elsewhere, it has been reported that the ESA membership has approved an additional 10,000 attendees, bringing the total number of consumers on the show floor to 25,000. This has sparked a potential rescheduling which could see an industry-only day take place on the first day of the show, with the following days being opened fully to the public.
We've seen E3 become arguably less important in the gaming calendar over the last few years; with Nintendo using 'Direct' presentations to showcase its upcoming games, and other companies like Sony ditching the show altogether last year, the ESA clearly feels a need to freshen things up.
It'll also have an awful lot to do in order to regain the trust of the media after a major data breach leaked the personal details of more than 2,000 media and influencer attendees this year. At present, the ESA hasn't provided any substantial reassurance that it will be safe for media to attend going forward.
E3 2020 will be taking place from 9th - 11th June 2020.
[source gamedaily.biz, via uk.ign.com]
Comments (92)
"Influencer"
Oh boy
Oh dear, not the sorta thing I would tune into, I would rather it used the same format as Comic Con in that case, kinda like it is already but have panels instead of the massive keynote speeches.
Welp, was fun while it lasted. This reads like a group of corporate suits got in a room and had a brainstorming session with little to no input from actual enthusiasts.
I need bleach for my eyes to clean them because I read something that contained the word "Influencer"
Yeah, "influencer" is code word for dyed-hair, overacting Twitch clowns.
Well it seems it's on its last legs, me i won't miss it, becomes less and less relative each year.
After hearing all sorts of coverage for this year’s E3, it sounded pretty clear that the ESA has to massively overhaul the event, so it can be as engaging as it was in the past.
I do like the idea of “quentertainment” and fast-passes. Nintendo’s E3 Floor took advantage of both and people there seemed to have loved it. Some made the comparison of being in a theme park. This sounds like the ideal change for E3. Make it about the theatrics of the show. Make sure everyone on the floor, first and foremost, is having a great time.
Oh dear. Welp, suddenly I stopped looking forward to E3.
EDIT: In a general sense. Always looking forward to Nintendo's Direct.
They’re going to act like Tokyo Game Show meets Vid Con next year?! Why?? 🤨
RIP E3. Ill miss both the excitement and the cringe .
Oh cool, attendees get to wait in line to sit and watch an influencer play a game.
Slowly but surely E3 is dying.
Influencer!! OH MY F GOD!! THAT JUST MEANS SNOWFLAKE!!!! THOSE PEOPLE GET UPSET ABOUT ANYTHING!!!! ARGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
(Yes, it's a satirical comment aimed at those getting really upset about other people supposedly getting really upset.
Wasn't logged in so saw some comments from the gammons i usually ignore.)
'Influencer' might be my winner for most hated word of 2019
As long as there is still a Nintendo Direct that week, that I can watch from the comfort of my home, that’s all I care about.
@Roibeard64 Oh don't worry, there will be plenty of cringe in this new format.
Shouldn't affect us right? Nintendo will still do Nintendo Directs
What is Influencer festival mean ?
No biggie. As long as some great products continue to be showcased, I don't really see it as that egregious about all that extraneous stuff featured.
E3 execs: glances at charts
E3 execs: so EA make a lot of money, gamers must like sports right
Now a days it is so easy to get information out there. E3 is starting to become really irrelevant. Don't get me wrong, I always look forward to it. However, if Nintendo can just drop a direct and suck all of the attention within a days notice. Why bother with E3?
@mattb994 Doesn't have to be the same week. I never saw the appeal of putting all game news in one week.
Nintendo should actually have their own "event", like MS does.
This sounds really bad, something for the shareholders not the public (more so than usual I mean)
Nintendo's style of direct for the win. Everyone realizes how good a method it is.
@Anti-Matter Youtubers, Streamers, Instagram people, that sort of thing.
@Kyloctopus Agreed.
'Queuetainment' is my new least favourite word.
@sanderev You are right, it doesn’t have to be the same week. The only console I own is a Switch so, while I do follow industry news in general, the Nintendo news is most important to me. I’ll take whenever I can get it!
Well, Nintendo should have a nice Direct at that time, so we shouldn’t worry about that.
I will say that change is welcomed and more people on the show floor is a good thing. But in the end I just hope the big companies keep bringing hype to it (hype can be a bad thing but it is fine as long as people do not pre-order!!!)
Man, let me just wipe the vomit from my mouth...
@AlphaElite
That and super boring types that make endless talking head style videos while never actually “saying” anything which makes them a favorite tool of PR, there’s one guy in particular I’m thinking of he always looks and sounds like he needs a nap and is about as knowledge on game design as a issue of Game Pro which is exactly what the industry wants.
VideoGameCon?
Does this mean fans can actually go now?
There's a such thing as "too commercial" IMO. Charlie Brown was onto something in that classic Christmas special.
"influencer"
Welp what E3 is complete without the typical boring EA Press Conference featuring iJustine and some random YouTube Content Creator who isn't even a gaming-centric personality
Dang. I always had wanted to go to E3, but you know... I had responsibilities. Guess I won't be going now...
Well, there will be the directs to look forward to.
I know that basically everyone has already expressed this, but damn the word "influencer" makes me wince...
1. E3 showing random people talking for half the time on Stage. Now random "influencer" rambling in a booth
2. Nintendo Direct wasting my time with more old rehash and Mobile time wasters "announcements" that take up half the show.
3. SONY,... not even sure what that was
All garbage (They can't even do a "lets Play" type video for CyberPunk right 🤦♂️)
Just take all this money and make a YouTube trailer and release a DEMO.
' INFLU_ENZA ' have you been influenced by an INFLUENZA via your digital box interface?
0800-INFL-ENZA
@AlphaElite Worse. "Influencer" is industry speak for "shill." Anyone who would deliberately call themselves that is just trash.
All I pay attention to is the direct, so as long as that is intact, why not pretend influencer is a thing
Honestly, as long as Nintendo still does their Direct presentation at E3, I'll be happy. Treehouse is a bonus - just don't let "influencers" host it. There are a few I like, but the guy who hosted 'Nintendo Presents at Gamescom' really annoyed me.
I don’t really know what an influencer is, but I can’t imagine it’s someone that eats babies. Judging from everyone’s reactions, I’m going to assume that’s what they do, though.
You immediately lost me at influencer. There isn't a more toxic word for me than this right now. I already don't give a crap about critics on movies as I like to decide for myself, but influencers are even worse as they are often paid to say something is good whether it actually is or not. E3 just lost me if this happens.
@HobbitGamer LOL, you aren't far off. Just think Kardashians selling purses and makeup and you'll get the picture. Influencers are just paid talking heads who you can't trust and are often so fake in their excitement etc. literally the worst part of YouTube and Instagram.
@HobbitGamer it’s worse than that. They eat babies then complain and overreact about it, then get paid for it and become millionaires.
That makes me so FMIF'ed!
Ugh influencers.
I get it, the times, they are a-changing and E3 needs. I’m assuming though that next year MS, Sony and Nintendo will be present (as they need to market their new systems and will be needing all the media exposure they can get) and we’ll get a bigger show.
That fastpass thing is smart though; timeslots will work so much better.
Doesn't really sound any different to me. Except the increased capacity.
"Influencers" already went to E3. As far as I know, it was generally decided based on your userbase until now. If you have a big audience, they didn't care who you are.
FMAIF? FMIF? At least they didn't go with "Fan, News and Accolade Festival", that abbreviation could cause confusion. Either name still kinda serves to glorify the plague of fanship, but that's a comparatively harmless rake to step on.
As for importance... less important? Probably. Not important? Certainly not. Any event that catalyzes official news, announcements and presentations (and not every publisher is Nintendo, EA or Bethesda enough to afford their own events and streams throughout the year) exists no lower than "why not" tier. I don't see Directs and SoPs driving stuff like PAX West or TGS to the brink of obscurity.
Ya i think im gonna skip E3 next year. Not even Xbox can save it for me. I'll just checkout news updates though out the week that week.
Considering the next PS and XBox consoles should be launching late next year 2020 would have been a great time to try and get Sony back and focus on the future of console gaming. Invite Google Stadia, and maybe Nintnepod will launch a Switch Pro or Switch TV to counter the Lite. Should be some great news to share next year after Sony and MS start taking up next gen games.
This sounds like they are surrendering to mobile gaming. Which is fine, many of us will just ignore E3 then.
As someone who went to E3 in 2017 as a "fan", and then was incredibly lucky to go under an industry pass this year (thanks to Nintendo, no less!), this move from the ESA doesnt fill me with a ton of confidence.
Making it a little less corporate was a great bone to throw to fans who always dreamed about walking those halls. And it's undeniably great for marketing that "normal folks" get to share their experiences via social media. But the few industry/press folks I had a chat with lament how much more of a pain it can be to do their jobs with the uptick of casuals walking around. And I partially agree.
It's definitely a balancing act, and you have to evolve to stay relevant... But I dont think E3 needs to go all in on the "fan" aspect. We already have that with 3 PAXes, et all.
@beazlen1 @8bitforever Oh, so Used Car Salesmen. Gotchya.
How long until Ninfluencers become a thing?
The conferences need to stay, E3 needs its annual dose of pop music from Ubisoft's conference.
Lol, all those people going berserk about "influencers"...
I only care for a pretty strong Nintendo Direct. That's all I am asking. I won't attend (I never did. I live in Holland anyway) and I hope I can ignore all the influencer stuff when watching E3 coverage!
Makes sense. Gotta keep up with the current demographic.
FMI Festival? Sounds too much like a furniture shop for my liking
@Gerald I read FMI Feastival as the "F Me Festival"
2 out of those 3 words should be avoided at all cost
Well... bye, E3. You had a good run.
Yeah, this is a poor attempt at a cash grab, yet feigning to be for the consumer's entertainment and comfort.
Looks like Sony was right to jump ship.
"Influencer" is just a title some people give themselves when their parents are bugging them to get a job
Is it just coincidence that an influencer has so much in common with influenza, the virus spreading sickness?
In the Nintendo communities we have lots of unpaid and real enthusiasts. We don't need or want paid fake ones indulging in corporate propaganda.
I'm not sure who is worse, "influencers" or the people that are actually influenced by them. Either way the world could do without both sets of people, especially the self titled "influencers" and the kids who say they want to be 1 when they grow up.
"Inflencers"... eww.
Looks like E3 is dead now
@ilh I think it's sorta like how every kid said they wanted to be a pro skater when I was growing up, trends move on and people tend to realize how stupid some of their childhood ambitions were.
Are celebrities like Arianna Grande, Nicki Minaj, etc = Influencers ?
@Anti-Matter No, they aren't, not really anyway. Maybe indirectly, but not intentionally. They actually have talent, influencers don't.
Just think of all the famous YouTubers that don't have any other talent than just that: being able to keep people subscribed to their YouTube channel, and making money from it.
@JayJ Well, be that as it may, I think there are worse things in the world than wanting to be or actually becoming the next Tony Hawk.
And it comes with a pretty decent salary as well...
All kidding aside, though: skateboarding will be featured as an official sport in the upcoming Olympics as well, so you can bet your behind that there's going to be a new upsurge of fans and/or enthusiasts for it.
What kind of title is that? I mean, I only watch the Nintendo direct and the odd trailer for a game I’m interested in, but seriously? I want to say more but it’s already been said. It’s a stupid title and screams corporate nonsense to me
@JayJ Good one!
Gaming Media has been railing against E3 nonstop for years because they hate having to get out from the stuffy office and actually walk around among other people to report on games. They had no problem with E3 when it was catered to them but the second E3 started to bring people in they shifted and whined. (Just for context I'm not defending the people who run E3 they seem incompetent but that doesn't excuse gaming media being lazy and crying about having to walk around to report on things)
The word influencer makes me want to vomit. More like influenza!
So... this is how E3 dies...
Influencer.
Yuck.
They are killing the gaming industry.
They promote loot box and FUT to death. The peddle whatever they are paid to peddle and young and foolish lap it up...
Say hell no to influencers
Say no kids.
Unfortunately the paid reviews and freebie culture has taken hold. Can’t trust many or any site, YouTube or social media.
I wonder if they are stupid enough to dox every media attendee again, like they did last time by putting an unprotected Excel file on their servers. The list also included five people from NintendoLife btw.
Getting with the tunes I guess
E3 has been less and less exciting these years anyways....so, whatever. Chances are Nintendo will still do their big Direct stuff in the future anyways.
To be honest, if they grab the bull by it's horns and can really make an event out of it, it can still be relevant. I mean, it's better to have it than not right?
JESUS F---ING CHRIST, WHY?!?!?!
Unfluencer? So they can find another platform to idolize PewDiePie type "scream everything and act like an idiot" streamers and video makers?
That's not what I want to watch at E3. All the streamers and YouTubers I follow are quite different from the reactionary, overly energetic, and honestly obnoxious style of content maker that seems to dominate the clickbait heavy world these days...
As long as Nintendo still does their E3 Directs, I don’t care about the rest
God please don't.
So glad Nintendo do Directs. Which i can watch at home happily.
Live in England. Won't ever be going to E3.
Also, i feel like a really old 30. As i only heard the term "influencer" last week. Then rolled my eyes................
"influencer" EW this sounds like youtubers are gonna be a bigger part of this. Youtube gamers are so annoying, crigey, and have crap to do with what I like about video games. I only want to see developers and games/gameplay. NO influencers.
I just want E3 demos available on their respective platform's "eShop" for that week. That way, everyone gets a chance to try these demos and not just the lucky ones in LA.
NO! BLASPHEMY!
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