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May 17, 2004
E3 Summary and Pics
I'm still recovering from my trip to E3. So, this summary will not be long. Besides, this E3 was a lot like the last one: lots of sequels, lots of licenses, low on innovation, high on noise.
A few 10th anniversary twists (eg, MIT's <a href="http://www.educationarcade.org/">Education Arcade</a>, the classic games expo and the "<a href="http://www.e3artexpo.com/">Into the Pixel</a>" art show) kept things fresh overall. Sadly, I can't say I remember much of the games. I guess I'll be doing some catch up at <a href="http://www.e3insider.com/index.htm">E3insider.com</a>.
The IGDA's members-only party was good fun, with 400 members showing up for the festivities (see pics below). I do believe this was the first ever developer specific event/party held in E3's history...
Anyway, the following pics should tell the rest of my E3 story:<div align="center">
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_01.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The Atari banner "soiled" by urban decay. It was a promo for the quite hip <em><a href="http://www.pcgameworld.com/story.php/id/3492/">Getting Up</a></em> game (a lot like <em>Jet Set Radio</em>).
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_02.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Sony did not hide its Hollywood aspirations...
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_03.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The yearly workshop on pitching to publishers (you'd think there would be standards by now)... Bill Anker (Activision), Bill Roper (Flagship), Greg Richardson (EA Partners), Karthik Bala (Vicarious Visions) share their wisdom with moderator Aaron Leob (Planet Moon).
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_04.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>At the MIT Education Arcade, Henry Jenkins leads a panel on games literacy. A/V jockeying from Philip Tan, panel wisdom from Eric Zimmerman (gameLab), David Buckingham (University of London), Jessica Irish (Wellesley College) and Gerard Jones (author of Killing Monsters).
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_05.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>IGDA Party: members cooling off in Club Fes.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_06.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: Mathilde Remy (French journalist) and Noah Falstein (The Inspriacy) wait in line for drinks.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_07.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: The Japanese crowd - Hiroka Osaka (Northwestern University), Edward Huang (Shanda), Aki Nakamura (Waseda University), Takeshi Tsuru (Namco), Rumiko Hoshino (University of Tokyo).
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_08.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: Ben Sawyer (Digital Mill), Dave Thomas (journalist) and Ian Bogost (Persuasive Games) enjoying a drink.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_09.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: Kathy Schoback (Infinium Labs), Warren Currell (Sherpa Games) and Gregan Dunn (Ideazon) also enjoying a drink.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_10.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: American McGee chats up Derek French (BioWare) and biz partner Anthony Jackobson.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_11.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: FR33SONIC duo Salvador Orona and Mario Lavin provide the background music for the party.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_12.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: Tom Sloper and journo gadfly Justin Hall bookend comedian Gallagher (who's "very interested in making games")...
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_13.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>IGDA Party: Damon Waldrip (Sony Online), Aliza Gold (UT Austin) and Eric Zimmerman (gameLab) chilling out.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_14.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Dan Irish about to pass out during the early morning Canadian consulate breakfast meeting. In the background, AtomShockwave big boss Mika Salmi discusses the success/potential of casual online games.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_15.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Doug Church (Eidos) getting some love from Seamus Blackley (CAA).
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_16.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>A demo of the Phantom console/service in action. Was actually pretty cool. And, their booth nicely recreated home-like settings for your demoing pleasure.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_17.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>The Army propaganda machine in full effect...
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_18.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>One of the few innovative games - rolling around and collecting the world's crap. It was showcased during the <a href="http://www.experimental-gameplay.org/">Experimental Gameplay Workshop</a>. Ex-GDC director Alan Yu nicely simulates the effect ;)
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_19.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Art Appreciation: One of the finalists from the "Into the Pixel" art exhibit.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_20.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Harboring a Fugitive: Harvey Smith (ex-Ion Storm) bunked in my suite during his visit to LA. Andrew Leker (Mind Control) joined us for a night of game design discussion.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_21.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Yummy! Cockroaches to promote the Fear Factor game. Brilliant idea.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_22.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Geeks on Top: Cyberlore CEO Joe Minton (far left) soaks in the male-geek envy over their Sims-like Playboy game.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_23.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Joris de Man (Guerrilla Games), Dave Ranyard (Sony Europe) and Ninja Tune record label rep Allister taking some time to eat/relax behind the Sony booth.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_24.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>A license I wouldn't mind playing... Several cool anime themed games were on display...
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_25.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>The UK gov backing their game dev sector in a big way. Kudos!
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_26.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Mobile phone games and tech had a large presence at this year's E3.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_27.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Another cool one, the new Donkey Kong game that requires beating a drump and clapping. Fun!
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_28.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>A Juxtaposition: Sorry, couldn't help but take a shot of bunny on her lunch break being all goofy playing Harmonix's new beat/rhythm game, <i>AntiGrav</i>.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_29.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Even Imperial troopers need to grovel for tickets to the Sony party. Also, funny to see them walking around with bags full of swag - seemed a little out-of-character.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_30.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>A great performance by the Blacked Eyed Peas at the Sony party.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_31.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Dan Irish and Danial Achterman (Gas Powered Games) taking in the noise.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_32.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>A sea of Sony revelers.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_33.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Dazed: A blurry Robin Hunicke (Northwestern), Justin Hall and Eric Zimmerman (gameLab) get down to Crystal Method.
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_34.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Ah, the memories...
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_35.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br>Deja-vu?
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_36.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>A little before my time... Man, does it look dated...
<img src="http://www.igda.org/events/images/e304_37.jpg" width="300" height="400"><br>Who said games aren't good for your health?
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Posted by della at May 17, 2004 03:06 PM
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Comments
Nice pictures! I hope one day I will have the "pleasure" of visiting the e3 too ;)
Posted by: Tobias Baumann at May 25, 2004 04:25 AM
I was a virgin to E3 until this year. What an experience! Too bad I couldn't go to any of the parties being a lowly customer assitant in a game store. However, I did find it easy to get game developers to talk to me about their games if I whipped out the old notepad and started scribbling down something about the game I was planted in front of. It was mean, I know, but speaking to developers is much more interesting.
I digress, those pictures were great! They reinforce my desire to be in the game industry. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: William Zschoche at June 13, 2004 03:05 PM
hopefully i will be at the other side one day. btw, imperial troopers look cool :D
Posted by: diego park at July 13, 2004 01:14 PM