E3 just got a whole lot more like PAX and other fan-friendly shows
The Electronic Entertainment Expo -- aka E3 -- is open to the public this year for the first time, and now attending fans will have more to do than simply wait in long lines.
The just-announced E3 Coliseum is an off-site gathering that will host two full days of talks and panels on June 13 and 14, the first two days of the show. It's all happening down the block from E3, at The Novo at L.A. Live.
The schedule of events hasn't been announced yet, but a Medium post from Geoff Keighley -- chairman of the Game Critics Awards, the group behind official "Best of E3" awards -- offers some hints of what to expect.
"Alongside presentations from game developers, we will also welcome some very special guests from the broader entertainment world. They’ll join us to speak about the cultural significance of gaming and how this incredible medium has influenced their work."
E3 is often a popular stop for celebrities from various walks of entertainment. I've played games in the same room as The Wire and Destiny star Lance Reddick, sat down for awkward interviews with personalities like Zach Braff, and gawked as Kanye West and his entourage stalked across the crowded show floor.
This E3 Coliseum potentially gives some of those visiting celebs a way to connect with the show's audience on a larger, literal stage. Whether or not they will remains to be seen, but Keighley's post hints at contributions from personalities outside the gaming world.
This is a worthwhile move for a newly public-facing E3 to take. A lot of new attendees are going to learn something very quickly: E3 is a lot of lines. Long ones.
The press side of E3 is typically a behind-closed-doors experience, but most attendees hoping to see first looks at the games of the show have to queue up and wait their turn. If you're just attending to check out the most popular games, you might see no more than three or four in a single day.
The same thing happens at open-to-everyone shows like PAX, but those events also offer other diversions -- like panels and talks! That's why E3 Coliseum is a great idea, especially falling as it does during the first two days of the main show. Head-turning talks will help thin out the crowds at Los Angeles Convention Center and hopefully make it easier for attendees to see everything they want.
E3 2017 kicks off on June 13 and we'll be there to cover it all. Stay tuned for more on E3 Coliseum as the schedule of events is revealed.
Topics Gaming
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
