Destructoid Logo
Returning members: Login      New to Dtoid?   REGISTER NOW and join our community of gamers -- you might win these things. Its all free and takes sec.

Did you know? Destructoid is independently owned and updated by a tight group of friends, most which met online. Drop us a line and keep us busy.
 

    all updates

   pc    xbox 360     wii    ps3    ps2    psp    ds    retro    mobile    indie

STFUAJPG: IDG 'thrilled' with E For All attendance

by Nick Chester on 10.21.2007 31 comments


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.


   31 comments
teknohed: Right On! I got some passes for this from work and I took some of my friends and my girlfriend. None of them are "professional gamers" and they all loved it. The look on their face when they g...   more
  California     STFUAJPG  


There are 30 comments about this post:
FuriousGeorge's Avatar
yea.... more pictures please
Raidensolid's Avatar
Of course attendance is going to seem sparce. E for All isnt nearly as huge as say E3 or even non-video game cons like Comicon.
Chris Taran's Avatar
The show looked like ass and I'm sure all the negativity was well waranted. If you want a consumer show that everyone can agree is great (including press and regular Joe's) go to PAX.

E For All will be lucky to service another year at best.

And what kind of press release do you expect IDG to put out? A negative one? A press release from the show organizers is about as biased as anything could ever get.
Aerox's Avatar
I went, and while it was fun, the people saying it was sparsely attended weren't really wrong. I only went Saturday, but it seemed fairly empty, and almost everyone was gathered around the Nintendo booth, the Warhammer/TF2 area, or the Rock Band stage. A good time, but definitely not a massive event.
Nick Chester's Avatar
Chris:

What about it looked like ass, exactly? I'm confused. What sucked about E For All? There were more people at PAX and it had more support, yes. We get that.

Not everyone went to PAX. Not everyone can go to PAX. Chris, did you go to PAX?
Lethal Dosage's Avatar
I think Meagan has successfully cloned herself. She seems to be at every event even remotely gaming related. It's quite impressive.
JonDarkwood's Avatar
I'm sure it's fun, game shows don't have to be GIGANTOR to be fun, and not everyone has to show up for it to be a good time. If it gets some good publicity from the companies that were there I think more companies will get involved. Game journalists aren't always the final word.
MechaMonkey's Avatar
Well said, Mr. Chester. Cheers to you.
BlackDove's Avatar
Don't know, shilling products in exchange to play a few demo's...

Meh. Who cares? The more the merrier.
Nick Chester's Avatar
MY BAD.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=STFUAJPG
Cheeburga's Avatar
Damn straight Nick.
vishusdelishus's Avatar
It seems the issue is that this show is less valued due to the lack of crazy, surprise announcements. Don't forget a lot of these same game journalists have been spoiled by the bragging fat kid on the block known as E3.

It was an experimental format, one that I think makes sense for the show promoters and companies alike. Besides we gamers get to play all kinds of stuff not released yet - seems like a win-win to me.

Of course it's all moot if you don't live anywhere near where they host the show. Dammit!
rabidkeebler's Avatar
From my perspective it is a good thing. It was always my dream to attend E3 after I graduate college. Unfortunately here I am in my last semester with E3 barred from me.

Now this doesn't mean I'm going to pack my bags and attend E for Everyone. But atleast they are offering a public event.
MrBabyMan's Avatar
More pics (and a little commentary) here!: http://thedrilldown.com/?p=30
NihonTiger90's Avatar
Wish I could've made it, but good for the E for All people. It might not always give us a whole lot of new info, but it lets the public get to feel like the media for a day or two, and heck, why not give them a chance to check out these new games and build even more buzz for your console or games? Sounds like a no brainer to me, unless you're too afraid people will see your games as the crap they might very well be

*shifty eyes at all the developers skipping E for All*
Dexter345's Avatar
Eh, Nick, I think the thing I take most issue with is the price. Four days for $90, when one of those days is a Thursday so you probably can't go anyway because you actually have obligations? Bleh. But then, you could just go for Saturday and Sunday, for the low low price of $75! Couple that with the fact that PAX was more fun while being cheaper (and stayed open longer), I think it deserves the negativity. I'm not saying I didn't have a good time there (meeting up with Destructoid people is always great), but objectively, it is just not as good as other conventions.

At any rate, I think it's also good that it's getting this bad press, because lord knows IDG is reading it (or at least, they SHOULD be), so maybe they can improve things for next year. We'll see.
Nick Chester's Avatar
@ Dexter:

I'll agree with the pricing being a bit miserable, but that's not where the expo is getting knocked. It sounds like a valid complaint to me.
Dexter345's Avatar
Yeah, actually, I have no right to complain about the price anyway. Mr. Destructoid is paying for my passes. ~whistle~
joepaniic's Avatar
somebody please add STFUAJPG to wikipedia..... for some reason its not listed, and just incase anyone here wnts to add it but does not know what stfuajpg means its Shut The Fu*k Up And Just Play Games.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
I think the biggest blow to it was that a lot of companies passed on the con... If they continue it, it's likely those companies will eventually come around and make a showing. And those ticket prices really need to drop.
CRA's Avatar
Amen on this post! I think that people just enjoy bashing stuff, I know I do. I can't imagine the very first E3 was as super or amazing as the last one, so give E for All a chance to come into it's own!
Azereki's Avatar
It was fun and I got to meet a lot of really cool people, that's really all I could have asked for. It was a good show. Considering that it was the first E for ALL, I don't know what people honestly expected. I bet next year will be much better if IDG feels that it was a success. I'll be going back next year if I have the opportunity.
Volcanon's Avatar
Damn I wish I could've gone.
Wedge's Avatar
The entire thing fails because of the annoying booth babe commentators for SSBB. Also because I'm never going within 50 miles of LA.
JayVander's Avatar
The price is horrendous.

I just feel that with the hype they were trying to build up they spent more time in trying to get people into the show and not enough things AT the show.

I think I saw about 3 vendors selling stuff on-site. And two of those were for Wholesale only.

You have to feel that this thing was trotted out before it had any reason to. Only to capitalize on the fact that E3 was no longer the E3 it had once been.

I wanted it to be good but once being there it didn't feel like a gaming convention. More like a gaming carnival.

And not the good kind of carnival either. If there is such a thing.


At least Video Games Live put on a good show.

And as much as people want to deny it, PAX is the only real Gamers convention that wasn't birthed with the idea of making money but instead having fun with your buddies.

Something I didn't really feel at E for All.
mid3vol's Avatar
it sounds like it would have been fun at least.

and lol@ megan looking like she's squeezing mr. destructoid's ass.
Lord The Night Knight's Avatar
"And as much as people want to deny it, PAX is the only real Gamers convention that wasn't birthed with the idea of making money but instead having fun with your buddies."

People AREN'T denying that, at least not that I've seen. What gave you the impression this expo was supposed to be like that? Your comments seem to imply what was what you were hoping for.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Destructoid always understands.
DJTyrant's Avatar
You can't expect something to be perfect/amazing the first year of its existence, I'm sure it will improve.
teknohed's Avatar
Right On! I got some passes for this from work and I took some of my friends and my girlfriend. None of them are "professional gamers" and they all loved it. The look on their face when they got to see Mario Galaxy up close was priceless.

I felt a little sad that the place seemed so empty. I mean I think compared to E3 (which it is hard not to compare it to since it was held in the same Hall for so long) it was DEAD.

But you're totally right for the PUBLIC I think it was great.

No one has talked about the HP booth...but I spent a lot of time playing Unreal III and having a blast with everybody.

We even got to play MGS4 in ENGLISH. I'm not a huge fan, but that still aint nothing to sniff at.

I hope they do it again next year.

You must be logged in to post a comment. Click here to login or create a user account now.




DTOID'S TOP 5 updated May 11
Controversy Grand Theft Angel: How Liberty City plays nice 96
36321 views
Top 10 most anticipated PS3 games of 2008 57
11813 views
And now for your daily WTF: The realistic Pikachu 80
8484 views
3Feel Online - Multiplayer Sex Game 4
6715 views
Fight Night Round 4 to mark Mike Tyson's triumphant return to videogames 22
6666 views
more top stories

Jump in: Post a community blog now
This month's theme: "If you love it, change it"
Best of the community this week
Game with us: Friday Night Fights
Meet Dtoiders near you at a NARP!

DTOID CONTEST ALERTS
Big fat raffle: Win one of 100 Deca Sports demo discs for the Wii
Win a PlayStation 3 and Casino Royale on Blu-Ray by playing Bond: Top Agent
The winners of the Insecticide contest announced
Dtoid iron-on patches now available. Win ten of them right now!
Congratulations to our Sam and Max contest winners
MORE CONTEST ALERTS

PODCASTS & DOWNLOADS
Podtoid 52: The Gentleman Dinosaur
No RetroforceGO! this week, you make Mikuru cry
Podcastle: Dtoid's UK video game podcast
download back episodes

VIDEOGAME FIGURES via Tomopop
more video game toys and collectibles

LATEST GAME REVIEWS
Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys!
R-Type Command
NBA Ballers: Chosen One
Persona 3: FES
Mario Kart Wii
Battle of the Bands
Okami (Wii)
Arcana Heart
all Dtoid reviews

ORIGINAL COLUMNS
Games Time Forgot by Anthony Burch
Bargain Bin Laden by Jim Sterling
The Memory Card by Chad Concelmo
Indie Nation by Anthony Burch
Friday Night Fights by Grim
An RPG draws near by Colette Bennett
You're the man now dog by Hamza Aziz
Nerdcore Culture by Dtoid Staff
Debate to the death by Tom Fronczak
Monday mind teasers by Tom Fronczak
Miniboss Monday by Mike Ferry
Art Attack Friday by Tiffany Chow
Best of the week by Hamza Aziz
Weekend reading by Brad Rice

XBOX 360 NEWS
Mirror's Edge artwork for your fapping delight
She hasn't put clothes on yet: New X-Blades screenshots
Behold! Gears of War 2 gameplay footage is here
The week in Rock Band DLC: Blondie, The Clash, Sonic Youth
Friday Night Fights: What would Destructoid be without FNF edition
New information on Banjo-Kazooie 3 to (finally!) be revealed early next week
For you, a ridiculous number of Ninja Gaiden II screenshots
Exclusive Destructoid interview: Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg on GTA IV
more Xbox 360 games, news and reviews


NINTENDO WII NEWS
More Vii for you: another Wii knockoff hits the scene
Pack your Wiimotes and go: Top Chef videogame may be headed to the Wii
Anime fan alert: Haruhi Suzumiya title confirmed as a dancing game
Nintendo eats the Big Mushroom, nearly doubles revenue
GameStop, Gamecrazy stop Wii Fit pre-orders, Americans not so lazy after all
Dr. Mario WiiWare gets a new name and a pricetag
Wii Fit TAKES OVER THE WORLD (or maybe just Central Park)
Wii Nintendo Channel now live, full impressions and details
more Wii games, news and reviews


PLAYSTATION 3 NEWS
Mirror's Edge artwork for your fapping delight
Shooting fish is worse than shooting people? According to Naughty Dog, yes
She hasn't put clothes on yet: New X-Blades screenshots
PlayStation Network Update: Win a Car edition
The week in Rock Band DLC: Blondie, The Clash, Sonic Youth
Friday Night Fights: What would Destructoid be without FNF edition
SCEE PlayStation Day: an age-gated trailer for LittleBigPlanet? Huh?
SCEE PlayStation Day: first gameplay footage of MotorStorm: Pacific Rift
more Playstation 3 games, news and reviews


PC NEWS
She hasn't put clothes on yet: New X-Blades screenshots
BioWare removes 10-day validation from Mass Effect PC due to backlash
Friday Night Fights: What would Destructoid be without FNF edition
Pandemic and EA reveal Lord of the Rings: Conquest
NVIDIA wants to make its products more 'consumer friendly'
Doom 4 rears its Hellish head, looking for fresh souls to bring it to life
Final Fantasy XI gets a special edition for 2008
Spore and Mass Effect PC forces players to stay online
more PC games, news, and reviews


DS NEWS
Nintendo eats the Big Mushroom, nearly doubles revenue
Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff coming to DS
Destructoid review: Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys!
Wii Nintendo Channel now live, full impressions and details
Nintendo DS = Poison drug? Stupid mother seems to think so
Charge your DS or PSP with a bracelet?
Eidos announces Gauntlet coming to the DS
Rubik's World coming to Wii and Nintendo DS
more nintendo ds news and reviews


PSP NEWS
Captain Obvious: Sony admits PSP needs more games
Mario Kart Wii and Monster Hunter 2nd: Japan's top sellers for three weeks
Talk nerdy into Sony's new PSP headset
Covers and screenshots shown for PS2 and PSP versions of NCAA Football 09
Destructoid Review: R-Type Command
Secret Agent Clank gets date and snazzy bow tie
Word: SouthPeak Games officially announces B-Boy for North American release
Developer D2C calls PSP 'a sleeping giant'
more psp news and reviews

RETRO GAMING NEWS
No RetroforceGO! this week, you make Mikuru cry
Run like a raptor! Pixeljam Games' Dino Run released
RetroforceGO! Episode 48: The retro renaissance?
RetroforceGO! recording episode 48 tonight: Upcoming retro revivals
The Great Retro Quiz! .30: Super Mario Kart
The FC Mobile: Play original Nintendo games on the go
RetroforceGO! Episode 47: Treasure
RetroforceGO! recording episode 47 tonight: Treasure
more retro gaming news

tokidoki anime


Japanator - Anime Blog  | Tomopop - Vinyl Toys Blog  |  Poprox - Pop culture blog  |  MiamiNights - Miami Blog
Be Famous! Sort of. Submit a news tip to Dtoid  | Advertising  |  Privacy Policy  |  Powered by Elephant


NOT THE SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: The stuff overheard on Destructoid's community blogs do not yet quite personify the sound of wounded dolphins mating nor reflect the opinions of Destructoid LLC, the Webby-honorated group of promiscuously jolly associate editors that update our home page daily. Read our manifesto and see what we're all about. Participating in Destructoid contests gives us permission to impregnate with your wives and horses, drink all of your beer, and eat all of your nacho dip. Anything submitted becomes the property of the public Internet under creative commons and may end up on some emo kid's arm. Some rights reserved, etc, keep your filthy lawyers tucked away in their sad oak-furnished offices saying things like WHEREAS in all caps and as far away from us as possible or we may hurt them and their vulnerable pets. Please tell a friend about DTOID and contribute: help us keep it fresh, higly accurate and relevant, fun, honest, never too stuffy, and always independent. Also, cocks.