The 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) was quite the event for the Bitmob staff. Just a year ago, only a handful of staffers covered the event. But this year we had a healthy roster of both show rookies and veterans in attendance. I thought it'd be fun to compare and contrast the experiences of everyone's first time (whatever year that was) and see what we've learned.
What was the experience like?
Co-Founder Dan "Shoe" Hsu (1997): I felt like I was walking into a nerd Las Vegas. It was wonderful: loud, bright, and surreal. And I think I was drunk anytime I was outside of the convention center.
Editor Aaron Thomas ("probably 2002"): I don't specifically remember much about my first E3, but I do know I spent a lot of time getting swag and photographing celebs and booth babes. Ahhh, those were the days....
Editor Greg Ford (2003): Since it was my first year in the industry, it was like a dream come true: games everywhere, a ridiculous overabundance of booth babes, partying with friends new and old, and an avalanche of tchotchkes. It was so much fun that I don't think I even minded an absolutely packed schedule.
Managing Editor Jason Wilson (2010, since he's usually part of the "home team"): It was a blur. I worked on behalf of GamePro for the E3 Show Daily, a daily publication put out by the show operators. It's difficult to do live reporting on a print deadline during press conferences. For the Sony press conference Tuesday, I had to write up my story as the press conference took place...as the event ended on my deadline. This is similar to what a number of sportswriters do while covering events; they start their stories early as the game goes on and the "narrative" of the game begins to take shape.
Editor Rob Savillo (2010): Quite surreal and overwhelming, and very loud. But exciting, nonetheless.
Editor Brett Bates (2010): The experience lived up to my expectations: big, flamboyant, exhausting, and filled with exciting new games and technologies.
Writer Jasmine Rea (2010): It was completely overwhelming. I have a few social-anxiety issues that I thought I had overcome. The sheer number of people in attendance, coupled with a new city and and strange beds, sent me into a panicking fit through most of the show. Somehow, I pulled through.
Writer Mike Minotti (2010) - Going to E3 was something I always wanted to do. I frequently just stopped on the middle of the show floor and took in the moment.
Writer Alejandro Quan-Madrid (2010): It was like a video arcade the size of a giant mall but with a lot more interesting people walking around...and much less cigarette smoke.
Next page: What did we learn from our first E3s?
@Mike I booked my hotel a bit in advance. It was within walking distance and only $89 a night. It was a small room but I didn't spend time in it except to sleep so I didn't need a huge suite.
@Tabitha I was staying an extra day to go to Disneyland, so that also probably hurt me.
Ya that would do it, but you did get to go to Disneyland :)
Yep! Yayyyyy! Of course, in the future, I should really try to go to Disneyland BEFORE E3.