Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/The unbearable smallness of E3 2008, in pictureshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/the-unbearable-smallness-of-e3-2008-in-pictures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/the-unbearable-smallness-of-e3-2008-in-pictures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/the-unbearable-smallness-of-e3-2008-in-pictures/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

After last year's detour to Santa Monica, E3 returned this year to its traditional home at the L.A. Convention Center. But the more things stay the same, the more they change, as they say (if they're a bit confused). Despite the return to the old location, much of this year's E3 had an empty, ghost town feeling when compared to E3s past. The general lack of participating developers and publishers, combined with the strict, invite-only attendee list combined to make a show that seemed incredibly small in the incredibly large convention center. To see just how small, check out our "E3, then and now" gallery, which compare scenes from previous E3s to similar scenes from this year's show.

Gallery: E3, then and now

The unbearable smallness of E3 2008, in picturesThen ...... and NowThen ...... and Now

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]]>comparisone3e3-2008joystiqfeaturesL.A.LACClos angeleslos-angeles-convention-centerLosAngelesthen-and-nowKyle Orland2008-07-21T22:30:00+00:00Welcome to E3 2008, now with less magichttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/welcome-to-e3-2008-now-with-less-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/welcome-to-e3-2008-now-with-less-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/welcome-to-e3-2008-now-with-less-magic/#commentsFiled under:


If there was any question as to the fate of the spectacle that was E3, a quick visit Monday afternoon to the LA Convention Center seemed to confirm the show's demise. Oh sure, E3 may live on in name, but where years past would have found the convention center papered by now in gaudy banners promoting the year's biggest titles and deepest pockets, 2008 instead finds the halls exhibiting all the life of a George Romero set piece without the visceral afterglow.

Even so, we do look forward to see what the show has in store for us when it officially kicks off later today. After all, we're not total pessimists. Yet.

Gallery: Joystiq @ E3 2008

Our first brew ...

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]]>conventione3-2008los-angeleslosangelesJason Dobson2008-07-15T00:30:00+00:00E for All advance registration openshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/e-for-all-advance-registration-opens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/e-for-all-advance-registration-opens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/e-for-all-advance-registration-opens/#commentsFiled under: ,

Early registration for GamePro's E for All Expo, set for October 18-21 at E3's old home -- the Los Angeles Convention Center -- is now open. You can register at the E for All website here. The current phase ends September 1, and tickets are $45 for a Thursday/Friday pass, $65 for Saturday/Sunday or $90 for all four days. After September 1, prices move into the range of $50 to $110.

In addition to cheaper ticket prices, early registrants get to play on the show floor earlier, with a grand total of seven extra hours available. With E3's downsizing this year, the expo is hoping to fill Los Angeles' quota for large gamer gatherings.

[Via Firing Squad]

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]]>EForAlllaccLosAngelesRoss Miller2007-06-05T20:55:00+00:00E for All expo ticket prices sethttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/e-for-all-expo-ticket-prices-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/e-for-all-expo-ticket-prices-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/e-for-all-expo-ticket-prices-set/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Though mention of Gamepro's E for All Expo may prompt you to envision a discreet gathering of drug dealers or a wild party where people bash each other over the head with giant foam letters, the truth is that entertainment will be the only thing being distributed. With Nintendo acting as a "flagship" for the October event, many expect it to replace the glitz and clamor of E3, with the exception of it being open to all. All with at least $50 in hand, of course.

Speaking to Gamespot last week, IDG World Expo vice president and show organizer, Mary Dolaher, revealed the exact pricing of the different entry tickets. How Mary Dolahers many dollars are you expected to part with, exactly? Single day tickets for Thursday and Friday will set you back $50, whereas single day tickets for the weekend go for $75. A four-day pass is set at $110.

Though the precise scope of industry support for the expo has yet to be seen, there are probably more terrible ways to spend $50 in a day. The E For All Expo will run in Los Angeles from 18 October to 21 October, with general admission tickets going on sale in June.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

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]]>E for AllEForAllGameproLos AngelesLosAngelesLudwig Kietzmann2007-04-02T20:54:00+00:00EA launches Artwerk, 'full service' music labelhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/26/ea-launches-artwerk-full-service-music-label/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/26/ea-launches-artwerk-full-service-music-label/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/26/ea-launches-artwerk-full-service-music-label/#commentsFiled under:

junkie xlEA has partnered with Nettwerk One Music to form a "full-service" music label, dubbed Artwerk. The Los Angeles-based company will seek out new and established talent for publishing and distribution deals, including its first-confirmed contracted recording artist Junkie XL (pictured). Having appeared on numerous EA game soundtracks, in addition to producing the entire soundtrack for Forza Motorsport, JXL is an ideal candidate for EA's new venture.

With Artwerk, EA can capitalize on the entire process; no longer having to rely on its partnerships with other music industry labels to maintain EA Trax. "[EA] can now directly sign, develop, and launch artists for publishing, master recordings, sync deals and beyond," declared EA Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing Steve Schnur. But will the full-service treatment provide a happy ending for the artist? As long as you're willing to sacrifice street cred for the chance to be heard by millions of EA gamers. Submit your demo here, you desperate sell-out.

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]]>artwerkeaeatraxelectronicartsjunkiexljxllosangelesmusicnettwerksoundtrackJames Ransom-Wiley2007-03-26T20:56:00+00:00E3 cancelled for next year and beyond [update 4]http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/e3-canceled-for-next-year-and-beyond/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/e3-canceled-for-next-year-and-beyond/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/e3-canceled-for-next-year-and-beyond/#commentsFiled under: , ,

[Update 4: The ESA has issued a press release addressing the situation. Read more here.]

Next-Gen has the scoop: Doug Lowenstein, the president of the Entertainment Software Association is expected to announce within the next 48 hours that E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the definitive video games show, has been cancelled. Industry sources have told Next-Gen that the reasoning behind this move is primarily one of cost versus return. Publishers aren't getting the media attention that they expect from the large amounts of cash that they're putting down to exhibit at the show.

Apparently publishers believe that the multi-million dollar budgets allocated to E3 would be better used on smaller, specific shows where publishers get all the limelight. There's the possibility of a smaller show taking place in May next year, but as Next-Gen puts it, "it's clear that the days of an industry event attended by all the major publishers, spending big money, are gone."

Check out our commentary on the cancellation at the continued link below.

Joystiq's good, the bad and the ugly commentary on E3's cancellation.

First up, the good.
  • Our jobs get easier. During E3, the Joystiq team churned out 100 posts a day over the duration of the event, but there were probably still things that we missed. If there are multiple shows throughout the year, we'll be able to cover events in more detail and breadth.
  • You, the reader, get a much more even flow of information. As one of the team members that didn't attend the show, I had a hard job keeping up with the flow of content. Now that E3 is gone, I can look forward to consuming my gaming news in smaller, easier to digest chunks.
  • More access to the public? E3 was not accessible to the public, and was a strictly over-18 trade and press show. Hopefully future shows will split the show between press/trade exclusive days and open-access days so regular consumers can try out the latest games and hardware.
  • A cooler atmosphere. E3 is was a very stressful place to be, with every booth being designed to be as loud and as bright as possible in order to attract as much attention as possible. Now that E3 is gone, publishers and developers won't have to spend so much money hiring dancers and huge booths. In other words, the games will have a chance to shine through.
  • Worldwide game shows, not just L.A? Due to the expected fragmentation that the E3 cancellation is expected to bring, we can probably expect more regional shows designed to target individual demographics in different countries.
  • More focus on indies? Independent developers either couldn't attend E3 due to the high cost, or if they did, they were drowned out by the big publishers and their massive booths.
Next up, the bad.
  • Less excitement? Like a little kid waiting for Christmas, E3 excited gamers the world across. They knew that come early May, they'd be reading about the games they'd be playing for the next year. The separate, publisher exclusive shows expected after E3 will probably mean less of this Christmas kid excitement. Or, the same excitement, but in smaller doses throughout the year.
  • Our jobs get harder. Journalists and people covering the games industry will have to travel further and more often in order to cover the gaming industry. That could mean that smaller events get less coverage as the press prioritize their travel budgets.
  • No more "big three" faceoff. One of the most entertaining parts of E3 was watching Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo try to one up each other.
  • Lots more "big three" faceoffs. Imagine a world with Nintendo Space World, Sony SUPER EVENT, and MS X-event. Doesn't sound too appealing does it?
Finally, the ugly. Or: miscellaneous commentary on the cancellation.
  • Gamespot states that this is merely a downsizing and relocation. That effectively means the same thing as a cancellation. Next year's E3 will be a shadow of a memory of previous E3s. If the ESA doesn't manage to get the big guys back on board, another organizer will step in within the next 18 months with a show that will take E3's crown as the king of gaming trade shows.
  • Don't expect any major gaming trade shows to take place next year. If the Gamestars Live/ECTS fiasco in the UK in 2004 was anything to go by, we can expect very little in the way of trade shows next year. 2008 will feature a lot of smaller, developer orientated shows, and by 2009/10 we'll be booking our tickets to go to E3's replacement.
  • In the short term, GDC is going to get big, very big. As the next biggest American gaming show after E3, expect a lot of next year's big gaming news to come out of San Fransisco.
[Update #1: added the "good" commentary, tweaked spelling. Stay tuned for "the bad and the ugly" commentary.]
[Update #2: added the "bad" commentary. Stay tuned for miscellaneous "ugly" commentary.]
[Update #3: added the "ugly" commentary.]

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]]>E3Electronic Entertainment ExpoElectronicEntertainmentExpoL.A.Los AngelesLosAngelesNext-GenNext-GenerationConrad Quilty-Harper2006-07-30T14:30:00+00:00Preview of new Guitar Hero II co-op modehttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/08/preview-of-new-guitar-hero-ii-co-op-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/08/preview-of-new-guitar-hero-ii-co-op-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/08/preview-of-new-guitar-hero-ii-co-op-mode/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot of new Guitar Hero II co-op mode
In case you missed it on Friday, IGN posted a pre-E3 hands-on preview of Guitar Hero II's new co-op mode. It's a departure from the first game's multiplayer mode in that the two players have to depend on each other a lot more to pass each song and thereby make beautiful music together.

While the old multiplayer option will still be around in the sequel, the new mode mixes distinct lead guitar and bass or rhythm parts where each player affects the other in various ways, whether by failing if either performance slips (as in DDR), sharing the same Rock Meter (with mistakes from either player resetting the score multiplier), and needing to both go vertical at the same time to activate the shared Star Power. Thankfully, different difficulty levels can be assigned to each player.

The Joystiq team out in L.A. will probably find something to do until they get their sweaty paws on a guitar controller or two on the E3 show floor (maybe one of those wacky press conferences will help pass the time), but we're sure the wait to try the latest build of this rockin' series will be worth it. The seven songs available at E3 are listed below.

[Thanks, murph]


Guitar Hero II songs making an appearance at E3:
  1. Reverend Horton Heat's "Psychobilly Freakout"
  2. KISS' "Strutter"
  3. Butthole Surfers' "Who Was In My Room Last Night"
  4. Van Halen's take on "You Really Got Me"
  5. Black Sabbath's "War Pigs"
  6. Rush's "YYZ"
  7. Drist's "Arterial Black"

See also:

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]]>activatebassbass guitarBassGuitarco-opco-op modeCo-opModecontrollercooperativecooperative modeCooperativeModeDDRdependdifficultydifficulty leveldifficulty levelsDifficultyLevelDifficultyLevelse32006failfailsguitarguitar controllerGuitar HeroGuitar Hero 2Guitar Hero IIguitar peripheralGuitarControllerGuitarHeroGuitarHero2GuitarHeroIiGuitarPeripheralhands-onL.A.LAleadlead guitarLeadGuitarlevellevelsLos AngelesLosAngelesmodemultiplayermultipliermusicnew modeNewModeoptionpasspassesperformanceperipheralplayerplayerspreviewrhythm guitarRhythmGuitarRockRock Meterrockinrockin'RockMetersequelsharesharedshowshow floorShowFloorslipssongsongsStar PowerStar Power MeterStarPowerStarPowerMetertriggerDan Choi2006-05-08T15:21:00+00:00Capcom reveals playable E3 lineuphttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/20/capcom-reveals-playable-e3-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/20/capcom-reveals-playable-e3-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/20/capcom-reveals-playable-e3-lineup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mega ManCapcom announced its lineup of titles that will be playable at E3:

GBA
  • Mega Man Battle Network 6 Cybeast Gregar, Cybeast Falzar
Nintendo DS
  • Mega Man ZX
PS2
  • God Hand
  • Okami
  • Street Fighter Alpha Anthology
PSP
  • Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins
  • Monster Hunter Freedom
Xbox 360
  • Dead Rising
  • Lost Planet

In addition, Capcom will unmask several new games for as of yet announced platforms. PlayStation 3? Nintendo Revolution? C'mon, Capcom has to have at least one ace up its sleeve...

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]]>CapcomDead RisingDeadRisingGhosts 'n GoblinsGhosts'nGoblinsGod HandGodHandLos AngelesLosAngelesLost PlanetLostPlanetMega ManMegaManMonster HunterMonsterHunterOkamiStreet FighterStreetFightervideo gameVideoGameJames Ransom-Wiley2006-04-20T15:57:00+00:00