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January 20, 2006
E3 Censorship?
An exhibitor at this year's upcoming E3 Expo sent us some interesting information from the Exhibitor's Handbook.
It appears to signal an end to scantily clad "booth babes". Much more importantly, however, it suggests a defacto censorship - adult games or games with partial nudity may not be shown on the E3 floor. Also troubling is the particularly Anthony Comstock-ian means of determining what's allowed and what's not.
According to the handbook:
"Material, including live models, conduct that is sexually explicit and/or sexually provocative, including but not limited to nudity, partial nudity and bathing suit bottoms, are prohibited on the Show floor, all common areas, and at any access points to the Show. ESA, in its sole discretion, will determine whether material is acceptable."
See the complete Section 13 in the expanded article.
Page 13, Exhibitors Handbook
I. CHARACTER OF EXHIBITS *** NEW THIS YEAR ***
Products or services to be exhibited are limited to software/content
for personal computer and game consoles; gaming systems; gaming
accessories; gaming peripherals, virtual reality products, online gaming content and technologies; multimedia products; wireless/mobile/PDA content and technologies; product and packaging services; associated publications and trade associations.
Material, including live models, conduct that is sexually explicit
and/or sexually provocative, including but not limited to nudity, partial nudity and bathing suit bottoms, are prohibited on the Show floor, all common areas, and at any access points to the Show. ESA, in its sole discretion, will determine whether material is acceptable.
For 2006, The Board has adopted an amendment to the current Character
of Exhibit/Attire Policy enforcement. Exhibitors will receive ONE verbal warning when a violation of the policy is encountered. Should another violation occur, the ESA will impose a $5,000 penalty, payable immediately on-site and require that models comply with the dress code before returning to the floor.
Exhibits or conduct by Exhibitor which ESA dtermines, in its sole
discretion, are likely to constitute a violation of state or federal law or criminal activity shall be prohibited and ESA shall have the right, upon such determination, to require immediate removal of the exhibit, or portion thereof, of the offending exhibitor.
Any exhibitor not utilizing the official service contractor for Models and/or Talent, will be required to follow the procedures for using an Exhibitor Appointed Contactor and furnish the appropriate forms and certificates of insurance to show management before these personnel will be allowed to access the show floor.
Posted by BrendaBrathwaite at January 20, 2006 02:28 PM | Discuss this post on our forums