Poke around on the Internet, and you'll see a lot of videogaming Web sites throwing a negative spin on E for All's inaugural year. A few bloggers and journalists snapped a few photos of what appeared to be an empty Los Angeles convention center and declared E for All a dud. They said things like "No one is here," and "Besides Metal Gear Solid 4 and Smash Bros. Brawl there's nothing to play." You'd think the show was a miserable, herpes inducing failure.

Well, in a press release issued earlier today, IDG says they're "thrilled with the attendance," and that "the mood was always fun and energetic." Over four days, they've estimated that over 18,000 gamers, developers, retailers, and media were in attendance. And like IDG's Carolyn Rausch mentioned earlier this month, they "can't wait to see you back at the Los Angeles Convention Center next year at E For All's 2008 show."

I say good for them. While I wasn't able to attend this year, by all accounts (even the negative ones, usually coming from the drooling mouths of cynical gaming journalists) the show looked like it would have been a good time for anyone interested in videogames. Sure, there weren't many demos and new builds of anything we (the press) haven't already seen. But for the average gamer (who spends most of their time looking from the outside in, as the media gets their hands on these titles at Tokyo Game Show, E3, and the 477 other private press events held this year alone), this was probably a dream come true.

And that said, to the media who had their arms twisted to attend E for All this year: Get over yourselves, and try to put the show into perspective for your readers before publicly throwing it to the wolves. If someone wants to put together an event where gamers can come together and "just shut the f**k up and play games," they have my blessing. And why wouldn't they -- this is about having fun, isn't it? We're still allowed to do that, right?

E for All Celebrates a Successful Inaugural Year

New video game expo attracted thousands of video game fans; organizers look ahead to 2008

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2007--IDG World Expo wrapped up its first Entertainment for All(TM) Expo (E for All(TM)) (www.eforallexpo.com) video game event on Sunday, attracting thousands of video game fans to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the ultimate entertainment experience for anyone with a passion for video games. Over the course of four days, an estimated 18,000 hardcore and casual gamers, developers, retailers, media and other members of the game community were able to test-drive the latest video games and gadgets, attend competitive gaming tournaments, participate in gaming fan and celebrity events, sit in on developer sessions, and more.

"We are thrilled with the attendance, and we are pleased that we delivered the event we aimed for, which was a celebration that trulywas for the entire game community," said Mary Dolaher, CEO, IDG World Expo. "With over 18,000 attendees on the show floor, from gamers and exhibitors, to developers, retailers and families, the mood was always fun and energetic. The response to the event was overwhelmingly positive, and we want to thank everyone for their tremendous supportof E for All. We can't wait to see you back at the Los Angeles Convention Center next year at E for All's 2008 show."

More than 70 leading interactive entertainment companies were on hand for the game event, as well as more than 1,100 members of themedia. Other event participants included competitive gaming organization Major League Gaming, the Video Games Live concert, the "Into the Pixel" art exhibit, and the Game Developers Conference andits Game Careers Seminar series. The show also played host to a number of other events, including Target and Activision's Guitar Hero II competition, a Los Angeles pro basketball player showdown between Corey Maggette and Derek Fisher, appearances by professional gamers Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel, and MTV Games and Electronic Arts' Rock Band mobile tour, among others.