E For All 2007
We’re no strangers to the ‘Gaming Expo Experience’. From E3 to the GDC to the Tokyo Game Show, developer and distributors show up in droves to meet each other and to draw the media’s hungry eyes to the biggest and baddest booths by way of flashy lights, a party atmosphere and more than a few lightly clothed women. To date however, these have been almost exclusively trade driven shows, leaving the public to whet their whistles on the web and the few tv programs that cater to the gaming crowd.
Earlier this year, the grand daddy of all gaming cons, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, virtually shut its doors to all but the most well established industry reps and media hounds. Leaving the hard working, but dedicated geeks like us out in the cold. Fortunately, satisfaction came a few months later. E For All is the first video game expo allowing the public to see whats up and coming. This show was considerably smaller than its summer inspiration, using up about 20% of the space E3 used in its heyday. Nintendo, THQ, Konami and EA showed up with their latest, whilst tournaments, contests and other promotional events were held on the outer edges of the show floor.
Easily the largest area of the expo was reserved for the Major League Gaming Association for tournaments ranging from Halo 3 and Counterstrike to Guitar Hero 2 and NBA Live. Players fired and fretted for their share of 25 grand in cash and prizes. The larger amassed crowds could be found in one of 3 places. Nintendo brouhgt along playable builds of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Mario Galaxies. Konami let attendees get a sneek preview of Metal Gear Solid 4, providing you braved the 200+ deep lines during the day. Finally, MTV and Harmonix came to audition new talent for Rock Band. Participants signed up to get their mitts on the title and one of the four spots: Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass or Drums whilst performing on camera. The top two bands that come out of the nation-wide mobile tour will participate in a Battle of the Bands on an upcoming TRL.
Blaringly missing from the show were the 2 remaining 500 pound gorillas of the gaming industry: Microsoft and Sony. Both confirmed they would not be in attendance months ago. Speculation being a return on investment for the small show. Still, there was plenty to do and see, including Guitar Hero 3, Team Fortress 2 and Unreal Tournament 3. On the more unusual side were contests like a Minesweeper face-off and a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament.
For the expo hardened, this was a small event that could be soaked up in about a day. John Q Gaming Public however could easily get excited about the prospect of playing the newest titles before any of their buddies. IDG World Expo, the organization behind E For All, have already confirmed plans for a 2008 show.
