“This year’s E3 is going to be so different without booth babes”, I said to myself as strolled down Figueroa on the way to the Staples Center. As I passed the crowds of young men all dressed in jeans and T-shirts, I smiled at the women who were also walking into the conference. The camaraderie amongst the women outside the conference center was as evident as ever.
The reason I love going to E3 is that it gives me an opportunity to take the pulse of the industry. To figure out where it is going, to meet the brains behind the machine, and network with others. In addition to playing the games and game systems that aren’t even out on the market yet, this is where I get to meet women on the women’s IGDA-dev list, I get to go to IHOP with CEOs of game companies, and I get to sip wine with the MBAs who figured out how to get their product lines out to market. There is so much energy at this event, so much excitement, so much enthusiasm and you never know who you will meet there. Additionally, there is something for everyone here- from First Person Shooters to Tai-Chi sims to Christian games for kiddies… No matter who you are, you will find something extraordinary at this event.
Smiling from ear to ear, I handed my bags to security to be checked. I was on my way to be interviewed by the Associated Press and National Public Radio about women and gaming. I am a big fan of Laura Sydell, a reporter from National Public Radio and was giddy at the thought of finally meeting her in person. As I walked into the conference center I stop short. Gorgeous, tall, tanned woman in a silver bikini teetering on spindly stiletto heels? Could it be? A booth babe? I guess we wont be seeing less of them this year… Puzzled I walk on in …
The big news at E3 2006: The console wars and who was going to capture the casual gamer.
PS3: The big focus for Sony this year was most assuredly the PlayStation 3 with a whopping launching cost of $500-$600+ dollars- a price point that in my mind obviously is not conducive to capturing the casual gamer. Additionally, they only had one or two games that captured my attention…not enough to make me want to go shell out $600 and certainly now here near enough for most other casual gamers.
One bright point again at this year’s E3 was Sony’s Eyetoy Kinetic for the PS2. They are coming out with Eyetoy: Combat Zone which I am salivating over. As a combat training enthusiast this system looks SWEET. They also have Cardio Zone, Toning Zone and Mind and Body Zone. These are fabulous ways of incorporating game technologies with physical health.
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