Entertainment Software Association officials have announced that for the first time, 15,000 members of the public will be able to attend E3 2017, an annual show geared towards the gaming industry. In the past, only industry professionals and members of the media were invited to walk the show floor, though pressure from gamers and exhibitors alike prompted organizers to reconsider. Last year, ESA set up an event for the public outside of the convention center, and officials say the positive response from fans was overwhelming. The decision to admit fans to the show floor, organizers said, was a response to the resounding outcry of fans as well as game manufacturers who wanted the first-hand feedback of their products’ end users.
E3, which is short for the Electronic Entertainment Expo, has a long history of being among the year’s most anticipated events for gaming enthusiasts, as the show has been the staging for major product releases and announcements. Members of the public were allowed to watch certain portions of the show via live streaming in the past, but fans said it was not enough and ESA listened. In an interview with the online publication Gamespot, Rich Taylor, ESA’s senior VP of communications, said, “It’s a changing industry, and E3 has always evolved to meet industry needs and anticipate where we’re heading together – as an event, as an industry, and as fans. The decision to open our doors to 15,000 fans was a strategic decision. It is thanks to our members and their vision and leadership that made this possible. We have a model that allows the business of the industry to continue for our business and media attendees and provides an opportunity for video games’ biggest fans to experience the latest in innovative, immersive entertainment.” Organizers say that attendees from the public will have
Tickets went on sale to the public in mid-February at a price of $150 each for the first 1,000 tickets sold. Remaining tickets cost $250 each, and give attendees unlimited access to the show floor, sessions, and panel discussions.
E3 2017 is scheduled for June 13-15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and attracts an estimated 50,000 attendees annually.
