'Expanded' E3 lacks specifics, takes place June 2-4

22.10.2008
The 14th annual E3 will again be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 2-4, the ESA has confirmed. Arriving with it is the promise of more spectacle, like E3 2006, but it's still unclear if will participate. The future of booth babes is also in doubt.

"The E3 Expo will be the pre-eminent North American gaming show next year," said EA CEO John Riccitiello in a prepared statement. "The new, larger event is better for industry leaders and for serious gamers."

"Get ready for some fireworks!" added Laurent Detoc, president of Ubisoft, who will attend next year's show as an exhibitor. "The changes made will ensure that the 2009 E3 Expo conveys the best of what makes us proud as entertainment leaders."

And therein lies the problem: as of Wednesday, said changes have not been fully explained, only that those eligible to participate have increased to include "qualified audiences," whomever that may be. Increased booth sizes were cited as a major change, however, given the outspoken criticism of the tiny booths found at E3 2007 and 2008.

E3 2009 is being produced by both the ESA and IDG World Expo, who put on the expo earlier this month. (Disclosure: IDG owns both GamePro and IDG World Expo.)