Sound And Fury, Signifying Nothing
June 11th, 2009I’m always struck by convention season, because it seems like a time in which we’re provided with enormous quantities of data but not much in the way of information. E3 is a good time to reflect on this for me because it’s perhaps the oldest quintessential example. We’ve been treated to days of end-to-end, wall-to-wall coverage of new games, ideas, and consoles. And yet, all we’re really getting are glorified press releases - previews with some basic impressions and, if you’re lucky enough to be at the conference, a minute or two of hands-on experience.
Perhaps just as significantly, we’re being shown the product of a great deal of effort rather than the creative process that generates that change. In fact, it seems like the events that really move the industry are the small, incremental changes and concepts that occur throughout the year, while the release of a new game that sparks chatter online is rarely concentrated at the same time. This is as much a function of the structure of E3 and related shows as anything else. And yet, we’re pumped every time the latest show comes around. Ironic.
Posted in Commentary, Geoff, Industry |
June 12th, 2009 at 5:53 am
E3 doesn’t give you that many things to be excited about right now… but it gives you some things to keep an eye on.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Yeah, I’m blown away by the sheer quantity of coverage of E3. I went this year and didn’t even bother to go back the 3rd day because I had already seen everything twice (and wanted to get the hell out of LA)
But, I think we’re talking about gaming sites coverage of the conventions right? And it behooves them to create lots of content and coverage even if there isn’t much meat on the bone so to speak.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:06 am
My point isn’t necessarily that E3 isn’t an effective preview - just that it’s much more about attractive presentations of largely known material than about events that really change the industry.
June 13th, 2009 at 7:11 am
How often does anything really change the industry? It’s very rare, and Project Natal is potentially as close to that as anything.