The lights are on
The world's biggest video game convention experienced healthy attendance this year, drawing over 47,000 people to downtown Los Angeles. However, there is a possibility that the conference might consider a change of location in future years.
The L.A. Convention Center (which is located next to the Staples Center where the Lakers and Kings play) has been a longtime home to E3 -- with the exception of two years, 1997 (where the convention took place in Atlanta) and 2007 (when a dramatically downsized show was held in Santa Monica). Obviously, the city of Los Angeles wants to keep the convention right where it is -- especially considering that $40 million was pumped into the city's economy in the course of one week. However, the relationship between the Entertainment Software Association (the organization that stages E3 each year) and the City of Los Angeles has soured in recent months, leading to the possibility that the conference may change venues.
The dispute regards concerns over construction issues resulting from the new Farmers Field project, a sports stadium and convention center project that will be built close to the current L.A. Convention Center. This project is intended to help lure an NFL franchise to Los Angeles.
The ESA is worried that access to E3 will be inhibited by the construction project. ESA head Michael Gallagher told the Los Angeles Times, "We're still in discussions with the city of Los Angeles, but we have a number of issues that still need to be resolved. If we can't resolve them, we are preparing to go elsewhere…. We need assurances on things like square footage, the quality of the space, the ease of loading and unloading equipment, signage throughout the convention center for marketing and sponsorships," Gallagher said. "We love being in Los Angeles, but we also have a show to put on."
An anonymous source told the times that the ESA is considering San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and New Orleans as potential E3 host cities.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, Gamespot
Email the author Matt Helgeson, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.
My vote goes to Atlanta! We need more conventions on the east coast.
I say follow PAX East and come to Boston. We certainly have lots of fans with more colleges and universities than any other city as well as the highest population of young college grads. It's a great place to lure potential talent to the industry. Transportation is super convenient with the T and commuter rail reaching beyond Boston's suburbs. Before PAX East we had nothing so I can't complain now that they're here but it would be amazing to have an E3 I could actually attend.
Actually, an Olympics style approach would be great. Spread it around the Country so everyone gets a chance to attend an E3, have a lottery for the cities and announce it 2 or 3 years out. E3 is big enough that it can survive wherever it goes and it may actually have better results when people don't know when they'll get the next opportunity. I think it should be shared! Spread the love ESA!!
Would love to see something on the East Coast...New York would be okay, Boston even better.
But honestly why not consider Vegas? The city is a playground and keeps things close to the West Coast but also not super expensive for folks across the country. Airfare and hotel rooms are relatively cheap for that city :).
Please hold E3 2013 in New York.
NEW YORK baby! The big apple, the city that never sleeps, the greatest city in the world! Come here and you'll be set! Youll have participants from as far North as albany, CT, and MA and as far South at D.C, Deleware, Maryland, NJ, and PA coming to E3 2013!
Bring it to Florida. Nerds need more sun!
SEATTLE
Move to Philidelphia and you'll get more money
New York?...I don't think so. LA all the WAY!!!
Does it really matter where? I heard you had to be invited to get in anyways.
Come to Miami
Philadelphia all the way
Come to Indianapolis. You saw our success with the village for superbowl!
can't airplane lot money me hawaii do used Ps3 in PlayStation Home E3 visit good movie E3
There are two choices, Chicago, or go to a different state each year. New York, its a bit pricy for the west coasters. L.A, same for east coasters. So Chicago and probably Indianapolis is best choice since both are equally away from each coast.
Chicago would be sweet, unfortunately without a job in the industry it doesn't really matter