Gamecock. The mere mention of this company pumps adrenaline into my junk. When they crow, I listen. When I see their rooster, we spar. Today they announced a game show trade show called E.I.E.I.O -- the Expo for Interactive Entertainment: Independent and Original - Fun Fest 2007. Why yes, that is the tune to Old Macdonald. So hardcore.

After I shat myself and reached for my itinerary, I realized that I've already booked my flight.  They are hosting their expo at the exact same time as the new E3 Media Summit. Coincidence? No. Initiative and balls. The indie developer made a splash last year with its promising lineup of upcoming titles, promising to pump some new blood into an industry complacent with annual Madden subscriptions. To no surprise, their event carries a similar mission statement in response to the limited range of indie companies attending E3.

An independent taking carving out something new and fun-focused in the gaming industry? I won't give them a meatspin, but that's definitely my kind of cock. More event details follow:

E.I.E.I.O. is a response to the E3 exhibitor list on which we reported earlier this week. The list "noticeably lacked independent developers," a Gamecock rep pointed out to Shacknews. "Gamecock is all about promoting the artists and bringing original games into this bloated and originality-starved industry. Gamecock is talking about plans for an E.I.E.I.O. - Expo for Interactive Entertainment: Independent and Original - Fun Fest 2007 - to be held on the same days as E3. What do you think? It would be great to have an event that supports the "uninvited" - the industry's best and most talented studios."

While this already sounds interesting as hell and should be a ton of fun, it does give media another event to juggle. EvolvePR has an interesting article noting the headaches some editors are facing in the wake of E3's downsizing: specifically the new importance of GDC, PAX, E for All, and the others popping up. Shacknews notes this on the event's whereabouts:

If Gamecock follows through with E.I.E.I.O., it will likely be held in Santa Monica on July 11-13, 2007, corresponding with this year's E3 Summit. There has been no indication as to the projected size or breadth of the Gamecock event.

While there is more to manage, I personally like the idea that we'll have more venues to sample titles for a longer amount of time. Trying to wrap your head around everything going on at the old E3 was like trying to catch a deluge in a paper cup ... with Crowded House lyrics scribbled on it.

Do any readers out there pity that we, the poor independent gaming press, have yet another thing to go to and play unreleased video games before the rest of humanity? I didn't think so. I say keep them coming. Sleep is overrated and weekends are made for fun, after all.

Also, Gamecock! 

Here's their press video, which my alter ego makes a brief cameo in: