I love the fact that I live around 15 minutes away from the convention center that E3 is held at.

For the last two years at E3, I've brought two of my friends (who are ineligible for free admission) in w/ me. The way I do it though, is a lot of hassle, and I don't believe it is going to work this year.

I ask some of the employees at work if they could fill out the E3 application. I only ask those that have no desire of going to E3. They give me the badges when they receive them in the mail. I then ask my co-workers that are going to E3 if they can let me have their badge holders for the 2nd and 3rd day if they're only interested in attending E3 for the first day. Then I can give these to my friends. If I can't get the holders from my co-workers, then I get in line multiple times to get additional badge holders (they've never asked why do I need another holder, but I always plan on saying that I lost it).

This year, both badge and holder have to be picked up. If I'm going to get my friends in, I'll need to ask my co-workers for both items instead of just one. Getting in line multiple times won't work since I can't ask for a badge more than once like I could w/ the holders.

Like last year, I will post pictures of my trip.

Yeah like Copenhagen I just faxed a copy of my last paystub, and my W2.

As other people mentioned, paystub and W2 should work. All E3 cares about is that you REALLY work for the company that you claim to be an employee of. Since I didn't want E3 to know how much I make , the IDs I used to apply last year was a copy of my company credit card and also my insurance card which had both my company and my name on it.

Just ask your friend to apply and fax in the two pieces of ID as instructed. Last year, I told a friend of mine who's an architect to apply. He was so convinced that he'll never get in that he never made travel plans. Then 3 weeks before the show the badge showed up but it was too late for him to get rooms and flights...

PAL, quick question. What kind of ID did your friend send in, stuff through his unrelated job, or other stuff?
I appreciate it.
Thanks

How hard do they scrutinize the two pieces of ID? Previous years I was able to attend E3 through my friend's comic book store. Alas, he's not working there anymore so I'm looking for some other way in. It'll be quite easy to whip up a business card, business ad & insurance card. Just didn't know what lengths they go to to verify the applicants.

Hey WHO ME?
I just applied on Monday night and faxed my information in on Wednesday and they already passed me today Thursday, so it didn't take them too long. Now I don't know how quick it would be for them to look me up, but that's pretty fast turnaround.
So you know.

Does anybody know if E3 is strict about their policy to allow media people only affilialted with commercial organizations in? Do they allow people who are working independtly to obtain access as well (a small camera crew for example)?

Marker got a couch I can crash on

To the poster asking about friends...last year I got in through a guest pass from nVidia...I'm not sure what companies get guest passes but if you know someone in a big company that may work for you.

Yeah, I work at EB and a Sony Rep. who comes to our store once a month said she may be able to hook me up with a pass.

The problem this year is that you have to sign up online and then send them by fax or mail your credentials, then you pick up your badge when you get there.

In previous years I was told you get the badges sent to you. So it's hard to say what will happen this year and if that will cut down on friends or not.

Actually, I would highly suggest this route. All you need for Media credentials is a letter from your editor/ program manager on company letter head(hint hint fake company) and then send it in with a business card with your name, your title and so forth. they are really easy on this. Last year I got in through that method on the day of by walking up with a small crew. They are really laid back about it. Best of all is that with a media badge you get the press kits for the booths. something the regular goers seldomly get. The press kits are really a nice bonus.

it's easy.. well beyond easy:
what you need:

A copy of your driver's license or official photo identification clearly showing your name and date of birth (no one under 18 will be admitted), AND
A copy of your business card with name, editorial title and media outlet's logo, AND
A letter from a producer/editor (on company letterhead) stating that you are covering E3 2004 on assignment
Please note: The name on your business card and your photo identification must match to be accepted.

I was there last year, and some friends wanted to go this year, but don't work at video game stores. Do you think it would be worth them trying to get in with somewhere like Home Depot? Would they actually check and reject their application?

Thanks buddy... the dailies would be cool (I'll take whatever else you see that's cool and you can grab too) heh

-k
###

He probably did the paystub and W2, from what I recall. The architectual firm was too small to have company credit cards.

Just make sure that the credentials you and your buddy sends in meets their criteria. From what I've seen, E3 cares MUCH MORE about the authenticity of your credentials than whether or not the company you work for is "in the industry".

Thanks so much Jackskeleton! I'm working on putting together a small independently financed documentary (i.e. financed mostly by me for now) and want to use the E3 as the kick off date for filming. Also I've been dying to attend the CES or E3 (which as most of you know came later) since I was a wee young lad secretly reading EGM/Gamefan/Gamepro in high school biology.

Thanks PAL,
I'll just tell me friend to send in his stubs from his job even though it is completely unrelated and hopefully that'll pass. I mean I could try to fake it, but then if they do look into his background it won't match, so I'm sure that wouldn't be good.

No problem. Last year I walked in the day of and handed them a business card and a letter from the editor and it was cleared. they sent me to fill in my card info and five minutes later was walking the floor. The Media pass gets you a lot of respect. The Media press kits are very nice bonus and really it's simple to get in with a media cred. The main thing you should know is you will most likely have to pick up your badge in a different location. Located on the second floor of the room that has Sony and Nintendo. You get a lot more then dailies as the press pass gets you different goodies as well.

Can't recommand it enough. They are really good about letting you get coverage on tape. If you want, you can even make interviews in advance with those companies who cover only press. Last year Lucas arts wasn't doing anything really public. You had to be press and make an appointment in advance to talk to a rep and get an interview. Big bonus there.

Okay, I qualify and whant to know how much is it going to cost me to get in the door?

free if you hurry up and sign up now. I believe after apirl 9th, it will cost you.

Well, I'm in thanks alot for the info. Anyone else going?

I just faxed in my registration using the same credentials as last year, so i'll be there.

I'm in, now I just have to get my friend in as well.

I told GF to submit an online application for the exhibits, and then fax in the required credentials. She's in the biotech industry, but still got in without any problems.

Eighth year for me. It's amazing how much it has changed over the years. The first year ('97), Sony had an awesome bar, fed you, etc. Second year, Sony's food and drink were harder to come by, but we still managed. When they moved back to L.A., that all stopped, but the Gathering of Developers came through for several years with free food and drink (tips were appreciated and we were always generous). Last year, though, the lot they used was being transformed, and G.O.D. was nowhere to be found. Nintendo forfeited their Best Booth Award by doing away with everything that was fun in previous years and getting really tight with the freebies. It's still worth going, to be sure, but last year was a huge letdown. Hopefully, this year will be a comeback. Vegas is on our agenda (albeit before E3), which was the best part of last year's trip.

Indeed, Vegas before E3 was fun, which was what we did last year.

However, if you drive your own car between Vegas and LA during that time of the year, it'll be plastered with bug bits and juice, especially during the night...

still waiting for an Eł swag offer thread...