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E For All: Or, I could be masturbating right now photo

E For All has received a great deal of skeptical feedback since its initial announcement, and as the show date drew closer it became more obvious that the event was not being supported by fans and industry alike. The absence of Sony and Microsoft was definitely a painful slap, but the show had to go on. I don't want to sound like a jaded industry hag, but after some of the events I've attended I definitely expect a certain level of entertainment from conventions (not to mention news.) As I walked into E For All today, I found myself thinking: What makes a conference worthwhile?

Different events target different types of people: E3 has transformed from an open bar party to an invite-only affair, PAX has earned the title "The new E3", and GDC has become the definitive developer event to enrich and inspire. Seemingly this would fill all present needs, which is why the announcement of E for All bewildered so many people. An event doesn't have to be bursting with news to be worthwhile (although it certainly helps), but without a lot of significant announcements, we need to have fun. How are you going to make us have it?

While E for All has several lovely booths on the show floor (the Nintendo booth is gigantic), they can't hide the fact that if those booths were magically removed, the conference would be painfully empty. The absence of actual game companies is a bummer not just for lack of games but more because of what their absence signifies. I admired the presence of a full band accompanying the cosplay competition, as it was clear they were trying to generate fun and spirit in an otherwise disappointing atmosphere.

The defining moment for a conference is who supports it. This may be a sad fact to the organizers of such events, but it is true. Gabe and Tycho of Penny Arcade fame were fortunate in that their excellent comic garnered them the support to create their own event, and their approach makes it one of the most entertaining yet. I feel the key to E For All's failure to engage seasoned attendees is directly connected to lack of support, because the conference definitely puts forth effort and courage in its presentation.

My biggest bitch beyond lack of support was lack of retailers. If there isn't a ton of stuff to play, the next best thing is to give people cool shit to buy. Because of my disappointment, I would have been even more likely to blow cash on import games and japanese toys at random. There were hardly any booths catering to this type of thing, and if it hadn't been for the scoring of a Silent Hill shirt I would have been totally crestfallen.

If you've never been to a con at all and want to check one out, E For All will likely be fun for you. The new Smash Bros handles well and is really fun, and it was definitely a thrill to finally have Metal Gear Solid 4 in my excited little hands. One day is more than enough to explore though, so don't blow your dimes on a 4 day pass. If you have attended other cons (especially PAX), the event will likely not meet your expectations. Go download some Smash and MGS trailers, settle down with a bag of Cheetos, and fap yourself into a forgetful oblivion.

LAUNCH GALLERY (6 IMAGES)
Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo









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Colette Bennett is a Destructoid features editor from New Orleans, Louisiana. She is also a founding member of Destructoid's sister sites Tomopop, a toy lover's blog and Japanator, our anime site. Likes Nintendo DS, NES, Silent Hill series, Rhythm games, RPGs Meet the rest of the team



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23 comments | showing # 1 to 23
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Yashoki's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:24
Yashoki
Sounds like fun :(
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:24
Darren Nakamura
I dunno, Colette, I have pretty low expectations.

Still though, I want to try out some Smash and some Galaxy.

And I'll bring my Settlers of Catan board game so if everybody's sick of the convention, we can plop down and settle some islands.
trydizon's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:25
trydizon
how i would love to be niero's messenger bad right about now.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:34
Bob Muir
That first picture was so awesome it gave me seizures.
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:35
Cheeburga
You could still masturbate.
Zarathustra's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:45
Zarathustra
That first picture is giving me a headache... a wonderful headache.
Fading Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:46
Fading Star
I've never been to a convention before. This one probably isn't too bad.
brosef's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:54
brosef
I haven't said this in a long time, I'm proud of Nintendo. I'm glad that they don't snub a smaller convention just because they have no news to report. It's nice to see Nintendo set up shop and let people fap over their Smash Bros.

Did they still hold the Mario Kart and Halo contests or were those dirty dirty lies?

@trydizon
How I would love to have Neiro's messenger bag right now. Put some in the shop plz. I can has purchase?
SourGr8pes's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 19:56
SourGr8pes
I bet that dumpster was pretty exciting.
A New Challenger's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 20:21
A New Challenger
PARTY HARD


Wish Nintendo had been at Comic-Con this year.

The lack of retailers does sound a bit disappointing. It's like the opposite extreme from BlizzCon.
CannibalCalvin 's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 21:03
CannibalCalvin
Gah! that looks like such a blast... :( why do I have to be so busy/broke/underage?!?
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 21:38
Maurice Tan
E for Empty :(
Carbot's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 22:13
Carbot
Fook that picture was like Zarathustra said, madd headaches. Fun nontheless.
Boolean's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 22:32
Boolean
pwnd
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/18/2007 23:15
Samit Sarkar
I can’t look at that picture anymore...I felt a seizure coming on after the first 12 seconds.

I dunno...I went to DigitalLife this year, and that was pretty impressive, so maybe you’re right, Colette. But I still would love to get my grubby little paws on MGS 4 and Brawl. All DigitalLife had was Guitar Hero III. Oh, wait...I like that game more than the other two. Never mind, then, you’re definitely right.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 00:07
Aaron Mxy Yost
BATTLING SEIZURE DTOID CREW!
DigitalD562's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 01:32
DigitalD562
I kinda feel the same way about E for All. It it wasn't for Rock Band and MGS4 they could have called it "The Nintendo Convention". But with that said it's still a decent expo. that is worth checking out.
Jioklo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 02:30
Jioklo
OMG YOU SAID MASTURBATION AND YOU'RE A GIRL!

Ugh we get it -- you're a female in possession of a vagina.. big deal. Not every post of yours has to hinge on that fact.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 03:12
Sharpless
I think you should all just have a big circle jerk on the showroom floor. And that header image disturbs me. It makes my head 'splode. But LOL @ Ron and Niero on Webb and Sessler. I want to have full-on sex with those two men. (Ron and Niero, not Webb and Sessler.) I'm not even kidding.

Honestly, I didn't even know E For All was here already. Teh laym? Is I right? :\
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 07:37
Snaileb
Jioklo should shut up.

Masturbate away, Colette. And I love Mxy's dtoid seizure crew comment, that's such an awesome piture.

Oh yeah.. have fun. (Jerks)
LarkOhiya's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 09:18
LarkOhiya
Calvin. just sneek into my luggage next time and you'll be on your way to dtoid fun!
Virtualgirl's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 10:32
Virtualgirl
Ugh...I hate hearing this because it confirmes what I wast thinking. I flew from Minnesota, I was hopeing for something a little more exciting. Sad panda. It is still fun, and we will most likely go for another day or two, but we might just spend the rest of our vacation at the beach! that and VGL, Rock band and GH3 make it worth it!
MrJunko's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/19/2007 12:22
MrJunko
Colette? Masturbating? Que lastima que una mujer tan bella necesita que hacer eso.

E for all wasnt all it was cracked up to be huh? Lets see you got to play MGS4, At least see and or play the new SF HD...wasnt SSBB there too? oh and tournaments for CONSOLES?! Yeah, that was one hell of bad time you guys had there.
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