E3 "will occur" next year, say organisers (News)

GamePro staff, GamePro (online)

23/07/2008 17:52:50

Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, the Entertainment Software Association is committed to hosting gaming's largest annual trade show for the fourteenth time next summer.

"As we do every year, we're beginning the process of surveying exhibitors and attendees to determine potential changes to the expo," an ESA representative told GameSpot on Tuesday.

"Once this is completed and shared with the ESA's Board of Directors, we will make an announcement about the specifics of the 2009 E3 Media & Business Summit, which will occur."

The show might go on, but that doesn't mean big publishers will attend. They can pull out anytime, just like Activision, Vivendi, Lucas Arts, and id Software already have amid rising membership fees and the diminishing impact of the show.

Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Nintendo are rumored to be exiting next year, and if that happens, expect an exodus to follow.