Booth Babes Banned?
Each year, the Electronic Software Association promotes what has become
the biggest and most recognized video gaming expo on the planet, E3.
Hardware and software developers show off their latest and greatest to
attendees during a week long collection of press conferences and
product demonstrations held in Los Angeles every year. Next to playing
the latest games and networking with potential clients, E3 is often
about the women. Scantily clad, often in game-relating costumes, Booth
Babes help to promote exhibitors by attracting the core demographic …
heterosexual male nerds 18-34.
2006 however finds something amiss in the expo handbook. According to a
change in policy, show promoters are reserving the right to determine
what is over-the-top (or off-the-shoulder) and promise to deliver steep
fines, up to $5000 and payable on the spot, to exhibitors who break the
policy.
Though no official reason was given for the crack down, major news
organizations cite the recent pressure from local and federal
politicians to stop sales of sexually explicit and violent games to
children.
Since we’re NOT a major news organization, I’m throwing in an opinion.
First, E3 is a trade event to which you must register and be involved
in to attend. Secondly, this is an adult event, no one under 18 is
permitted, no exceptions. Finally, we aren’t talking about the content
of the games themselves here, just the marketing for 3 days at an
esentially private event. Why should the ESA back down from political
pressure at their own private soiree?
Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I suspect something more
is behind this. Car shows use models. The Consumer Electronics Show
uses models. Even open to the public and all ages comic coventions have
models. How do any of these differ?
