E3 comes upon every Summer and there is no better place to find out the newest, latest and most baddest video games coming out on this side of the planet! It’s an exciting time and I usually drool over all the news. But I am not here to sing praises about the fantastic-isms of E3. You can always go here, here, or here for that. Or better yet, head on over to the Official E3 website for the latest. What I’m more concerned with is finding out why E3 is NOT open to the public. After all, its about the consumers – right? Right???

Why We Need One

What else can I say besides, “Have you seen our economy?!?” If you haven’t been living under a rock, then news of a slumping Interactive Entertainment Industry is not new news to you. The video game industry has to take new measures to ensure the continued success of its market. How do you do that? By going public. But not in the IPO sense of going public. All I’m asking for is to give us the opportunity to purchase a ticket to attend the event. That’s all.

However, and as most people know, E3 is a “Not for public event.” Not having an E3 for the general public (can I just call it “E4,” the 4th ‘E’ for ‘Everybody’) is almost as cruel as NOT allowing sports fans to attend LIVE sporting events. Or, ordering food and not being able to eat it. It’s just wrong!

Why It’ll Work

It’s been done before. Where? Japan. Each year during summer, Tokyo houses one of the LARGEST Video Game Conventions/Conferences in the World – the Tokyo Game Show. The dynamics of the convention are the same, namely – the place for companies to flex new muscle. New developments. New ideas. New networking. New video games. All for the masses.

There is one big difference, however. The public gets to attend! Now, I know what you must be thinking, ” Its going to a HUGE risk. We are going to lose money! Like at E for All!” Well, one BIG problem with E for All was that the event was COMPLETELY separate from E3. What’s up with that? Combine the two to form Voltron for Chrissakes! It will be most ultimate. Trust. And don’t be so worried about it costing too much. We made you guys big, didn’t we? You gotta take risks, right? Besides, I can only assume that the ticket sales alone would cover for any expenses incurred during the additional days. More importanly, you’ll be investing in us. Your Consumers. Build up your Consumer Base, damnit! You see where I’m going with this?

Where Do We Go From Here?

Take a note from the Japanese and embrace the idea of consumers attending your event – after your conference. Whether the idea works or not, it should at least be given a chance. It would be EXTREMELY fun for the Consumer. Inspirational for the Developers. And of course, big MONEY for everyone else involved. The winner – the Video Game market.

Note: Some other great events where the public gets a chance to check out the latest – Comic-Con San Diego, Blizzcon, North America International Auto Show, just to name a few. Come on E3 people! Let’s make this happen! You might even see your E3 Store sell out before the end of the event!

But enough about what I want. What do the rest of you think? I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts on this.