E3: Models & Memories
 

I have about 2500 digital images from the last two E3s. When I started thinking about shooting the E3 2002 pictorial and what made images stand out more than others, the one impression that came to mind immediately was this one from E3 2000.

Dual Playboy models walked the yellow carpet floor wearing bright yellow C/NET hats, matching short shorts, passing out literature and stopping for pictures. C/NET had a small meeting room in the back of Kentia Hall yet they made a more memorial impression than the multi-million dollar booths. E3 is all about BRAND, Presentation and Playing Games!
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Every year there is a party at the Playboy Mansion. I went one year before getting my own digital camera. I remember using a friends digital camera to snap a couple of shots of him in “the waterfall cave” cuddled up with a Playmate. Does anyone have E3 Playboy Party Photos to share?

E3Expo 2002 SHOWCASES
 

MORE THAN A THOUSAND NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN
INTERACTIVE GAMES AND PRODUCTS

Exhibitors Provide First-Look at This Holiday’s New Computer and Video Games

LOS ANGELES - May 1, 2002 - Leading interactive entertainment companies from around the world will unveil more than 1,000 never-before-seen computer and video games and related products at the 2002 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo), according to data from the E3Expo 2002 Exhibitor Survey, released today by the show’s owner, the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). In addition, the vast majority (80 percent) of the show’s approximately 400 exhibitors report that three-quarters of their products debuting at this year’s E3Expo will be on store shelves for the 2002 holiday season.

“The impressive number of new product introductions at E3Expo 2002 illustrate both the vibrancy of the video game market today and the status of E3Expo as the world's most important event for launching the new products and technologies that consumers will see for the 2002 holiday season ” said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the IDSA, the trade association representing U.S. entertainment software publishers. E3Expo 2002 takes place May 22 - 24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and will include more than 505,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

Reflecting the growing household penetration of next generation game devices, survey respondents reported that one-half (49 percent) of all new interactive software products being shown at E3Expo support video game consoles. In addition, the popularity of interactive entertainment software spans across a number of platforms with exhibitors reporting that approximately 39 percent of the new titles being shown are PC- based, 17.5 percent are for handheld game devices, 7.8 percent are online/Internet only games and 3.4 percent are for PDAs and wireless phones.

According to survey respondents, the new E3Expo titles they will display cover a wide range of game genres, including Action games (28.4 percent), Sports and Driving games (16.7 percent), Adventure games (12.1 percent), Child and Family games (10.9 percent), Role Playing games (8.3 percent), Strategy games (7.3 percent), Educational/ Edutainment games (6 percent) and Simulation games (3.2 percent).

Previously unreleased interactive products will be spotlighted at this year’s show in the E3Expo 2002 “First Looks” program. Participating First Looks exhibitors will be designated in the E3Expo exhibit guide, Show Daily, www.e3expo.com and on the exhibit floor beginning May 22.

E3Expo, now in its eighth year, is owned by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. IDSA members collectively account for more than 85 percent of the $6.35 billion in entertainment software sales in the U.S. in 2001, and billions more in export sales of American-made entertainment software. The IDSA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show, business and consumer research, government relations and First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts.

E3Expo is a trade event, and is not open to the general public. No one under the age of 18 will be admitted, including infants. This policy is strictly enforced.

Gorgeous Gamer Geek
 

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For the past two years, I have been snapping digital pixs of Shelly (right) showcasing new games in the Nintendo booth. As you can see, she can not take a bad picture. I became interested in her because of the photo below:
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She is a REAL GAMER! Notice the bent knees -- huntched shoulders. Shelly said her thumbs were totally sore after the first day. Seven months later, I shot her again at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where she was working in the Panasonic booth. She said that she emailed these photos to her dad. That makes her a GAMER AND A GEEK!

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E3 2000: Sega pulled out all the stops at their press conference dropping the price on the Dreamcast and using bikini clad, 10 gallon hat wearing dancers at their annual kickoff party. Back then - Sega threw the coolest parties.

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Sega’s stage show was spectacular. The dancers performed in front of a giant screen.

why can't it be time yet.

i want to start playing around right now :)

Nice pics- I don't remember any of these girls. WTF was I doing all that time! : P

E3 2000
 

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At the Nintendio Press Conference, Peter Main, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. ,
read from a hand written prepared speech. The only stage decoration was the crumpled up vinyl banner.

Nintendo Time Line
1999 - The success of the Pokémon franchise expands even further with the release of Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Yellow, and the first Pokémon title for the Nintendo 64, Pokémon Snap. Nintendo releases several notable N64 titles including Star Wars: Episode 1: Racer, Mario Golf, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong 64, Mario Party, and Perfect Dark. At E3, Nintendo announces development plans for a new system, code-named Dolphin, that will utilize an IBM Gekko processor and Matsushita's proprietary optical disk technology.

2000 - Nintendo sells its one hundred millionth Game Boy unit, ending the year with more than 110 million sold. Game Boy is responsible for 47% of all U.S. hardware system sales (an all-time high for a portable device). Pokémon Stadium is the top-selling console game, followed by The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, both for N64. Pokémon Gold and Silver for Game Boy Color make their U.S. debut in October, becoming the fastest-selling games of all time by selling a combined 1.4 million copies in one week and 6 million through December.

The Future of Videogames: Volume 2
 

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This banner is flaging on the E3 Media press release page.
NOTE: The click was not included in the banner.

The Future of Videogames: volume 2 will include:

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E3 2001: The NextGenVideo crew on the show floor shooting monitor screens of game
play for the The Future of Videogames: Volume 1

Last year, The Future of Videogames: Volume 1 E3 DVD was not available in US retail outlets.
Middle aged buyers refused to carry it.
GameStop requested to see it. Didn't look at it and refused to return it.
A US online exchange group was set up a couple of weeks after the show....seeking reviews for a week rental.
The Future of Videogames: Volume 1 E3 2001 DVD received high marks: Rating 8 (out of 10)

I wonder if Blockbuster, GameStop (FuncoLand), NetFlix, Redoctane, GameCrazy (Hollywood Video) will carry it this year?
Senior video game retail buyers are a very arrogant breed of nine-to-fivers. They are the gate keepers to main stream distribution.
It is a shame when they prevent cutting edge products from getting to consumers.

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E3 2000: Kiss Blow Up Dolls surrounded the LA Convention Center

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E3 2001: West Hall. First moments of expo opening. Over excited attendees were running down the aisles looking for cool new video games to play. It was like Christmas morning.

E3 is all about Mind Share
 

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As you can see, Activision did not miss a beat last year at E3 2001 with the Wolfenstein dog tags and big red background banner.

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It is OK to take a close up if you have a couple of medium shots with the logo.

well, since it's just around the corner, thought i'd help out with the reminiscing. Here's a couple "hotties" that were also at E3 2001 (these are from site i had up last year) :

http://www.geocities.com/summoner1/stuff/newcube.txt

http://www.geocities.com/summoner1/stuff/car.txt

(i'll have real booth "attendants" up later)

--HN

Sony Party
 

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This is a photo of a food server at the BIG SONY PARTY last year. She is also a singer,
actress and model. Downtown LA skyline with truffle towers (candy).

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We took about 10 creative photos during the course of the night.

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Each side of the street had a huge long bar.

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A smiley bar maid shaking a cocktail.

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I snapped four shots in the South Hall lobby. This one is the best of the bunch.

My favorite bunch from last year. I asked one of them if i could get a shot of all the girls on stage. she says sure, and rounds up all the girls for some quick snaps:

http://www.geocities.com/summoner1/stuff/tecmo.txt

--HN

Hmmmm? What Company Hired Them?
 

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E3 2001 - It is ALL about the Games/Money/Marketing
 

where's all those *games* i hear about at e3?
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Here is PURE E3 excitement.

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Another shot of non-stop video game play.

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A cool VR Chair is taken for a ride.

I don't know...pixs of faceless guys in casual levis playing pixels on big screens doesn't get my motor hummmmmming. I've snapped a bunch because that is the scene but like who really cares after the fact?

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I just requested an interview with Playboy Center Fold Miss March, Tina Jordan.
She will be at the 21st Software booth for one day promoting
Playboy's Babes of Summer CD-ROM Jigsaw Puzzle (Note: Tina is not the model in the above puzzle pix.)

See naughty and nice Playmates and Playboy models in sizzling beach fantasies. Six puzzles will be released every year.

A couple of years ago Playboy was at E3 promoting a CD-ROM calendar.

What questions should be asked of Miss March?
Mine will be: Can I get an E3 Playboy Party Pass?

If there is interest, I will post photos and wav file audio clips online within an hour of our interview.

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Like Disneyland.
Lots of people
stand in long lines.

This E3 2001 line was
for a chance to win
a Nintendo GameBoy Advance

A week from today,
I'm flying to LA for the BIG show

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This is the very first photo I shot of her. Over the course of the year, we have
taken many pictures together at a variety of high tech trade shows in Las Vegas.
When she is not working as a booth hostess, this spunky spirit spends her time
training parrots.

I remember she was in a medium sized booth last year with a pool table in the South Hall.
To bad the company didn't have a logo with URL on her T-shirt instead of a pair of dice.

Oh man...I would love to put some beef in their tacos :D

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I'll be teaming up with Gadget Grrl for the first day of the show.
She is wild, zany on-screen talent with a ton of experience. We will be doing 2 minute video clips: industry interviews, woman-on-the-street, models, product managers, after hour parties, big buzz, Best of Show, guys in T-shirts & ties, copy write attorneys, and beautiful security guards.

anyone know if there'll be any pre-show parties from the big 3 or any other noteworthies? I went to sony's(dj paul oakenfold) and microsoft's (third eye blind and blink 182) last year, but have so far heard nothing about this year. anyone in the know?

preshow?

Sony is having their party on Thursday from what I hear. they had Everclear perform last year and they did a very good job. I really enjoyed the party.

I just hope I am able to snag a pass for this years party :)

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Not all the excitement was restricted to only the convention center. Across the street from the South Hall entrance, Gathering of Developers and a few other companies staged their own little party in a parking lot (complete with free beer). It was there that fans got to take pictures with this pair of sexy models and a very convincing Duke Nukem. Sisqo would have been proud.

Game Critics did a great job publishing a E3 2000 photo journal. Catagories include:

1 - L.A. Convention Center
Take a visual tour around the convention center that gamers called home for three days, and see what it was like to navigate between its massive halls.
No. of Photos: 6
2 - Company Booths
Companies pulled out all the stops with unbelievably extravagant displays and setups. Check out some of the booths that were designed to draw eye balls.
No. of Photos: 30
3 - Celebrities and Characters
Celebrity appearances and costumed characters were everywhere you looked at E3. Get a glimpse of some of the more famous figures on the floor.
No. of Photos: 20
4 - Booth Babes
Whatever purpose they actually serve is undoubtedly sexist, but to deny their prominence would be misrepresenting a large part of the E3 experience.
No. of Photos: 16
5 - Promotional Material
Companies give out tons of free stuff to publicize their newest games. Take a look at some of the more interesting items that were dispensed.
No. of Photos: 41

Over the weekend, I posted a bunch of E3 Memory Resource links (Award Shows, Photo Galleries, etc) on the LiveJournal Gamers Forum. (It is a hassle to transfer the code from that forum to this one.)

The Promised Lot
 

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SubstanceTV, Inc, publishers of the acclaimed SubstanceTV DVD Videomagazine, announced the assemblage of a powerhouse sponsorship team, set to bring the award winning Promised Lot back to Los Angeles's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), May 22nd - 24th.

Located at the familiar corner of Pico & Figueroa, directly across the street from the LA Convention Center, the Promised Lot will open at 12-Noon daily, with live entertainment, bar, gaming tournaments and technology showcases running until 7pm.

AMD, Best Buy, Matrox, GameSpy, Alienware, Obscura Digital, and BAWLS energy drink have joined forces to resurrect the Lot. (more)

Interview with Jeff Smith Substance.tv
 

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How long has your group rented the space across the
street from the Los Angeles Convention Center during
E3? Why not a E3 booth?

This will be the 4th year in a row to do the Lot at E3 in LA. Back
when we were Gathering of Developers (then GodGames) we didn't believe in
spending the millions it took to get a good show floor presence, plus the good
spots in then good halls were 'grand fathered', according to how long you had
been an exhibitor. We decided to have a little more fun, in a more relaxed
environment, and just so happened to inquire about the parking lot.
The rest is history. Little talked about fact: The very first year of
Gathering's existence came in 1998 at E3 in Atlanta. We did have show
floor space that year. Of course that is when Max Payne was just a
technology demo, in the back room. ;-)

In prior years, I have never been able to get through
the gate. Exactly what happens on the lot?

Well, what didn't happen on the lot is a better question. ;-) Each
year, more 'entertainment' was added. The staple of the lot tends to be the
bar tent, but more importantly, there were 12 or so RVs that each contained
one of the games we were publishing. The developers were very happy to
come out to give scheduled interviews to press and buyers, in a dark, quiet RV.
We had a jumotron, that developers would give live demos on stage and be
projected to the big screen, we had dancers, 20+ Catholic
Schoolgirls/booth babes, free food, t-shirt freebies, and live music/bands. It was the
purest mix of business and pleasure at E3, that's for damn sure.
Gaming is supposed to be about fun, and that is just what we did. Have fun and
let folks have fun.


Are passes required to get on the lot this year?

Yes. An E3 show pass will get you in, as long as you have a valid id
showing you are over 18. Now, the SoF2 'Duel in the Dome' tourney is
open to not only E3 show-goers, but to ANY LA gamers that want to take their
turn, qualifying. So, anyone in LA that feels they can put the smack
down on other gamers, come on. Just register at the gate. 18 and up only
for that too.

Do you have a couple of photos from last year?

I have lots of photos. I will send in a separate email.

AMD will be on the lot this year - who else will be
there?

AMD, Best Buy, Matrox, Alienware, GameSpy, Viewsonic, Klipsch, BAWLS,
CyberPower and SubstanceTV.

What activities are planned for this year?

http://www.substance.tv/e3


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Will the debauchery be toned down this year? If so,
why?

Yes, there won't be any pole dancers or scantily clad girl 'all the
time'. In the years of past, if fit the GodGames image to have sheer insanity
going on, all day, every day. With what we are doing this year, we don't
need those 'cheaper' thrills, as we will be impressing folks with all the
tech we have in one place, and educating those about SubstanceTV, that might
not know who or what we are yet. There will be some surprises, no doubt.
The Friday night party www.substance.tv/e3/ss will prove to have ALL the
debauchery you will need though. That is going to be a
party/concert/rave/throw-down.

Describe the dome. What will be inside?

44' Geodesic dome, with a booming sound system and video projections
all inside. We like to say 'dripping visuals'. By entering the dome, it
is an experience similar to walking into your TV. You become part of the
atmosphere, as the sound and visuals are all encompassing and all
around you. The dome will house SubstanceTV and Matrox demos during the day,
along with the SoF2 tourney qualifying stations, and be the location for the
final rounds and match on Friday afternoon. The party on Friday (24th)
night, called Summer Substance, will also take place in and around the dome.

Whatssss up with the party Friday AFTER E3? Who can
get in?

http://www.substance.tv/e3/ss

What will Substance TV be showcasing at E3 2002 on the
lot?

We will be showcasing SubstanceTV. ;-) We will be shooting demos and
interviews for upcoming DVD issues as well. For the most part, we are
there to show off our DVD videomagaaine, called SubstanceTV. Period. Oh
yea, we will be showing SubstanceTV on a DVD player, PC (w/DVD drive) Xbox and
PS2, as we play on all those models of hardware. (Macs too, but...)

What will the Substance TV file crews be focused on at
the show? Can you share their E3 2002 appointment
schedule? When will the E3 2002 DVD be available? What
equipment will be used at the show to acquire digital
content?

We will run (3) film crews who will be all over. Inside E3, in the lot
and around LA. No schedule to share as we live by the seat of our pants.
We will have our latest and greatest issue of SubstanceTV, Issue 02.4
at the show. The next issue isn't slated to release until early July, and
until we get back and look at all the footage, I can't promise you what from E3
will be on that issue.

What are you talking to G4 TV about?

Some sort of content sharing, but nothing has progressed, because lame
ass Jim Downs at G4 won't ever answer his phone. ;-)

Will Substance TV be doing webcasts or updates during
the show on their web site?

No. Our site is not content driven, well not our public site. Unless
UnCeneTV partners with us, we will not have streaming content.

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Photo: Jeff Smith VP, PR & Marketing is on the left. E3 2001.

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[L=Interact Accessories]http://www.interactaccessories.com[/L] showcased their PSOne portable screen, Mobile Monitor, at E3 2001. An included AC adapter provides power from a standard outlet, while the included car adapter will power the screen and PS one from a standard car lighter outlet.

MAD CATZ PERIPHERAL highlights 4 E3
 

23 new accessories will be unveiled at the show

Lynx Wireless Controllers XBox/PS2
The Lynx wireless controllers require batteries whereas the 900MHz wireless controller for PlayStation 2 uses a recharging cradle.

The Lynx wireless controllers feature fully analog pressure-sensitive
action buttons and D-pad, dual analog joysticks, and rubberized grips to
increase comfort. Programmable macro capabilities for complex moves will be
featured in the Lynx wireless for Xbox. Both Lynx wireless controllers feature
two play modes for total control in any game (analog and digital) and
built-in dual vibration motors for a more pronounced, realistic gaming
experience.


http://www.madcatz.com/MadCatz/images/prod/8040_lg.jpg
For PlayStation 2

Beat Pad - This digital controller for dance and action games features
four-way directional control and 10 high-performance action pads. The
Beat Pad works with all dance games including Konami’s Dance Dance
Revolution and THQ’s Britney Dance Beat. It’s also compatible with PlayStation and
PlayStation One dance games.

Universal Steering Wheel and Pedals for All Platforms

The Universal MC2 Racing Wheel, also making its debut at E3, works with
PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube consoles, and is the most realistic
racing wheel on the market.

For Game Boy Advance

TV Tuner - By inserting the TV Tuner into the game slot, the Game Boy
Advance can be used for both playing games and watching television.

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E3 2002. South Hall. First Pix. Security kicked me out of the lobby for taking pixs.
New Rules?
I was also told the e-mail kiosks in the west hall are off limits until tomorrow.
Banner: Microsoft Games.

Xbox press conference shuttle in 30 minutes.

I hope this is not a new rule. It would suck to not be able to take photos.

Xbox Press Conference Pixs
 

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Hundreds of journalists waited outside the Orpheum Theatre for the kick off E3 2002 event.

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It seemed like everyone had a trubo charged digital camera . This is the Sony F707 with a large fish eye.

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One of the many ushers.


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The big berries were a big hit with the white clad ushers.


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Great eats. The white chocolate strawberries were a hit.

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There were two fire marshals at the press conference. The city of LA employees about 112 fire marshals. I was told to remove my bag from the aisle moments before the show began.

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Popcorn was servered while we waited for the multimedia presentation.


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Blink - a new Xbox title was one of several fall games showcased on the big screen with a booming bass sound system.

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XBox Live was introduced to the crowd.

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Microsoft is defining the future of digital entertainment. They are going to spend 2 billion dollars over the next five years redefing video gaming.

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The ushers "freaked" as the dj's scratched out pulsing vibes.

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Dancers.

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The dance scene got hot after most of the press disappeared into their rooms to bang out a story from the press conference.

NOTE: The press conference will be streamed over the Microsoft web site by the end of the week.

I talked with Ryan Vance, Segment Producer TechTV, about their coverage this year. Last year, they broadcast 8 hours a day. This year TechTV will air 30 minutes a day. When pressed for the reason why the minimal coverage, Ryan stated that it was due to lay offs at the channel. Hmmmmm. Over 20 individuals are registered as working journalists for TechTV this year.