I want to go to E3

[Popcorn]

So, uh, how do I do it?

Anyone going this year?

[Green Gibbon!]

I have tentative plans to do so. As with last year, I got approved through the "alumni" system, which basically means that if you've ever been to E3 before, you can get in with the same information as long as your e-mail address hasn't changed. (I'm assuming they don't do any additional on-site checks, or at least they didn't when I went a few years ago, except a photo ID check to pick up the badge holder.)

Anyway, you can download the application form from http://www.e3expo.com. You need to send two proofs of employment, such as a paycheck stub and a W-2. They mail badges about a month in advance, though I think the process is a bit different for foreign attendees. (I think you actually have to stand in line and pick up your badge on-site.)

[Brazillian Cara]

I thought only journalists were allowed in there.

[Spazz]

I know that if you're a celebrity or a popular web cartoonist/comic artist, you can definitely get in.

[Brazillian Cara]

Well, I guess GG's in.

[Popcorn]

Well, I guess GG's in.

I love how you consistently make no sense. If only your English were as fluid as my Brazillian.

[Segaholic2]

I want to go to E3!

Unfortunately, it usually overlaps my school's finals week.

[Dark Crow]

I wonder why you would really want to go. To me, it appears more focused on watching trailers of in-development games which you can afterwards leech from gametrailers.com, rather than being able to play the games themselves. I don't know, E3 just seems to have lost its spark for me... or it could just be from the general gaming slumps that have occured in the last few years.

[Segaholic2]

Tons of free swag, philistine. Go find your soul, then come back.

[Dark Crow]

Tons of free swag, philistine.

That, the privaliage of watching a trailer of a game a week before it's due to appear free on the internet, and the moderately hot booth babes clad in bikini's at the after party in which grog is all but flooding the showroom floor, is all that is going for E3.

[Baba O'Reily]

Otherwise, it's a stereotypical scene of a bunch of sweaty, smelly nerds gathering around games.

[j-man]

I know that if you're a celebrity or a popular web cartoonist/comic artist, you can definitely get in.

Well, I guess GG's in.

Makes sense to me, Popcr0n. I mean, we (by we I mean the GHZ and thus GG! by default) are one of the highest rollers of the Sonic 'net fandom "community". I mean, we even had that EGM feature. It was EGM, right? Whatever. Point is GG! is famous enough in Interweb terms to enter E3 with little to no tomfoolery at the security office or anything. WB would get in for free and get a blowjob at the gate. Esrever, however, would just get thrown out the door into a puddle while little girls laughed and pointed.

[The Doc]

Esrever, however, would just get thrown out the door into a puddle while little girls laughed and pointed.

No, actually, that'd be me. Esrever would be ass-raped by three of the big security guards, then thrown into the nearest Dumpster with nothing but a crimson anus and a loss of dignity.

Which really sucks because I would probably enjoy that, but so would Zeta, so I guess I'm not as special as I thought.

[Zeta]

Try GIVING a blowjob at the gate. That might get you in.

[Green Gibbon!]

Try GIVING a blowjob at the gate. That might get you in.

I don't know. When I was there last, all the entrance monitors were large, surly-looking black women. Not that I doubt most of them had penises.


Also, it is ridiculously easy to get into E3. The whole point is to get product viewed by as large an audience as possible and have hype built, so despite the warnings, they really aren't picky about who they let in. Especially not since attendance has been dropping the past couple of years (I belive 2001 was the record). My only concern is that, unless at least two of the three companies suddenly announce that they will not be showing their new systems this year, attendance is going to be crazy and they might decide to crack down.

They do have special VIP areas that are only open to executives and journalists, but the majority of the playable product is out on the floor. Crow, almost all of the games shown are actually playable. The ones shown in video form only are usually displayed on giant monitors in "sitting" areas where you can just collapse on the floor and watch. (And believe me, it's a welcome break after walking around for hours and hours.) That is to say nothing of all the free shit that gets handed out (you could probably fund your whole trip just by selling the free stuff you get on eBay), all the important people roaming around, and the obscure stuff you never read about online. (In Kentia hall, for example, which is rarely if ever covered, all the Korean and Asian publishers have their low-budget stuff on display, stuff that will never be released here, and it's quite interesting.)

It's technically a trade show, but it really is more like a convention. If you're into games at all, it's really exciting just being there, because it's like the entire heartbeat of the industry concentrated in one spot for three days. It's really alot of fun despite the crowds and idiot fanboys roaming around.

[Dache]

I want to go too, but flights seem to be insanely expensive. A friend of mine might be going this year with his company and possibly getting cheapo flights, and may be able to get the same for me, and a some fake identification for his company. Maybe.

I'll see.

[Double-S-]

I want to go too, but flights seem to be insanely expensive.

Probably because of the whole OVERSEAS THING!

I had nothing to do E3 week last year, but now that I'm in UT I don't finish school until after.

[Squirrelknight]

I wish I could go... Seeing how the Convention Centre its held at is literally less than an hour from where I live, I wouldn't have to worry about lodging or transportation.

I applied for a job at one of those god-forsaken videogame store/partition-thingies that Blockbuster is opening up. Considering the incompetence of their current work-force, I think I have a good chance of getting the job. If I do get the job within the next month, would it be too late to apply for a E3 thing?

This e3 seems like it'll be one of the best... Not one, not two, but three new systems are enough to keep me so busy I might not even have time to masturbate. Hell, even if the 3 new systems don't show up or just outright suck, there'll still be playable Zelda there.

[Green Gibbon!]

I don't think it's ever too late to apply, but they stop offering the free package some time in March. After that, I believe the cheapest deal is a couple hundred bucks.

[Light Speed]

When is E3 this year? Back in highschool it always landed right inbetween my AP tests.

[chriscaffee]

You know you're a nerd when you remember events in terms of your standardized test dates.

[Light Speed]

I remember it because I could never go because I had to take my AP tests.

[Esrever]

I know that if you're a celebrity or a popular web cartoonist/comic artist, you can definitely get in.

Well, I guess GG's in.

Makes sense to me, Popcr0n. I mean, we (by we I mean the GHZ and thus GG! by default) are one of the highest rollers of the Sonic 'net fandom "community". I mean, we even had that EGM feature. It was EGM, right? Whatever. Point is GG! is famous enough in Interweb terms to enter E3 with little to no tomfoolery at the security office or anything. WB would get in for free and get a blowjob at the gate. Esrever, however, would just get thrown out the door into a puddle while little girls laughed and pointed.

Oh well. At least I was able to use my webcomic powers to commandeer a free Sega Saturn.

[Segaholic2]

You're supposed to use your webcomic powers for truth, justice, and the American Way, not exploitation!

[Esrever]

Maybe on Monday I will ask for an Xbox!