By Staff Writers, GameSpot.com
01/08/2006
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/home_av/others/0,39037627,39379137,00.htm

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has confirmed reports that E3 will be undergoing big changes for next year. According to the trade group, the convention will be "evolving into a more intimate event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities".

	This year's E3 attracted more than 60,000 attendees. (Click for larger image)

ESA president Douglas Lowenstein also confirmed for CNET Asia sister site GameSpot that E3 2007 will move from its traditional time in May and will now take place in July, though he could not pin down specific dates.

Prefacing its statements with the caveat "as currently envisioned", the ESA said E3 2007 will still be held in Los Angeles, but won't have the "large tradeshow environment" of previous years. The city has previously estimated that the show brings in about US$20 million in direct spending by the 60,000-plus attendees and exhibitors.

Sources have revealed to GameSpot that several publishers--including Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and THQ--were among those pushing hardest for changes to the event. The companies' motives were monetary in origin--floor space alone costs exhibitors over US$12 million, and that number doesn't include the cost of building out large-scale, elaborate booths or onsite marketing campaigns within the Los Angeles Convention Center. In addition, an estimated additional US$50 to US$70 million is spent on city services such as hotels, entertainment, and transportation, a vast portion of that coming from exhibitor employees.