With the glitz, buzz and big announcements gone, what's E3 for?

I think the announcements are still very significant to the target audience for the show, not necessarily the main stream media. e3 2006 was a big deal due to the hype surrounding 2 new consoles being released at the end of the year. it's also nice to see G4 covering it again this year, I'm currently deployed in support of OIF and it's my main source for news on the event. e3 2008 might not have the same main stream headlining attention as e3's of the past but to me, it all the rage. Fallout 3 anyone?

I can't wait for E3 each year! I think its very exiting and give the different companies a chance to show their stuff, and get you syched. I still remember things that were said from E3 2006...so that tells you that it sticks with you! Game Developers would be silly not to go!

E3 used to be huge but the sole fact that the only people that can get in are people with credentials or crappy celebrities, makes the event low listed. A lot of people go to conventions to have fun, see new things, and I do agree that 200,000 people is over-crowded, what makes the event a hit, should never change. People need to understand if it works for you .. change=Bad.

Not everyone has to go to E3, they can watch it on G4, and still get the same experience, since not everyone gets to get hands on at E3.

Actually most trade shows are a waste of money unless you are actually selling at those shows. Of course if your company is able to have face to face meetings with your clients, all in one location, then they are a good idea because of the amount of time and money that is being saved.

But shows such as E3 are slowly going bye-bye because there is simply oo much information available online, magazines, forums, blogs, etc. that nothing is actually new anymore. There aren't any major announcements anymore and I can get more information and pics about new products online.

A good example are upcoming [PS3] games. Go to any video game website, manufacturer or otherwise, and you can view clips, downloads screenshots, chat in forums, get cheats/hints and even download playable games - all from your home.

I understand that there is a "vibe" when your at these shows, can't deny that, but are they really worth the consumer's money and effort to fly/drive to attend one of these just to say that you were there or to look at a product(s) a few weeks before anyone else?

I say "no" and my the downward spiral in attendance at this and similar shows, many others are saying the same thing

Um, If my memory is correct E3 went smaller on purpose because it was becoming to big . They wanted less attendees back to what E3 was to begin with . It is now invitation-only. I really don't understand what the negative story here is about. Of course it is still needed. The gaming industry is still very large people want information E3 provides it. Now, I know people were unhappy about the invitation only and down sizing and that of course is going to cut into popularity. Gaming friends of mine were fuming matter a fact that they can no longer go. lol.

The big announcements are gone? Someone better go tell the Final Fantasy fanboys.....

I still do think that we need E3. As a gamer I do rely on it to get some good look into what the developers are doing, and to know what I can look forward to in the upcoming year. But E3 really has been downsized, and I don't like that. I still remember the good old days watching it on G4 with the camera man and Adam Sessler getting knocked around by the hordes of people craving their delicious previews and demos. But now it's just too orderly and serious.

But I do think that E3 is still necessary for the simple fact that its always true. muzikman3161 had said that he can go onto a website and get the stuff, but it's not always going to be the truth OR the website could take it down because it won't actually come out for another couple years. So fundamentally, we still do need E3.

Of course that's what I think :P

A lot of those commenting here are gamers who enjoy reading video game websites and are missing the bigger picture. The general public isn't visiting those websites and keeping up with rumors, so having an event where the mainstream media covers what is essentially a consolidated version of recent news and rumors is good for the industry in terms of growing the market beyond core-gamers. Granny isn't visiting her local gamestop just to see whats new, but if she picks up her paper and reads that Wii Sports 2 is coming out, she will go to the store and look to buy it. All this is good to core-gamers because if Sony, MS, and Nintendo have larger revenues from grannys and housewives, it means they can afford more R&D on new concepts for the rest of us.

In response to the headline only: Did we ever "need" E3?

I think it has its place, but the need for E3 will have to be answered by the manufacturers not the gamers. As long as they see a value, it will remain. When they decide it is irrelevant, it will end.

I have enjoyed this year's E3 due primarily to the improved video coverage.

As an avid gamer "Clan Matron", I think they're going about it all wrong. I play video games nightly with people I will most likely never meet, all ranging in age from 25 to 60! I would love to see some type of convention for the customer's. We are in the height of our earning potential, and we are not just interested in games- we want to buy them! We could have gaming tournaments, sponsorships, demos, special purchases, special guests ( hey RB6 fans , how about meeting TomClancy?) and most importantly to the gaming industry themselves- give our opinions on what we are seeing! I suppose that since the Developers just want to talk amongst themselves, I'll just have to plan it myself. :)