Alex Seropian’s old E3 opinion: the smaller guys get hurt (at least the devs)

Evolve PR thought that, from the perspective of small developers/publishers and games press, the new, invite-only E3 sucked hind wind. Well, a small developer begged to disagree: none other than Alex Seropian, Bungie Studios founder, former CEO, and after seeing his baby safe within Microsoft’s environs, now in charge of his new baby Wideload Games.

In an interview with The Armchair Empire’s Omni, he mentions the thought that the old E3, for all the excitement it brought to the industry, was a “huge drain” that did not, from a developer’s perspective, “serve any purpose whatsoever.” While he didn’t mention Evolve PR’s contention that the old E3 was better for networking and publicity, Alex argued that the old E3 simply evolved (or devolved) into “one big strokefest for the publishers to see who could make the most noise.”

It generated a lot of buzz in the industry but as far as translating into how good a game is, it seemed to have zero effect – if anything a negative effect. And in terms of translating into sales, I don’t how you could possibly justify the expense. I think that’s why it’s gone away.

It’s rather… interesting to compare E3 into, er, male urinal envy… or a pissing contest. We will be… un-graphic about this and interpret Alex’s statements to be a commentary on the hype-and-noise factor of old-E3, the very factor ESA cited as the reason for “downsizing” the event.

Time will tell whether the new E3 will fulfill its purpose and be worth the ride for the developer. On the other hand, the invite-only restriction still means that covering the new “fest” will still be a pain for the small press.

Evolve PR thought that, from the perspective of small developers/publishers and games press, the new, invite-only E3 sucked hind wind. Well, a small developer begged to disagree: none other than Alex Seropian, Bungie Studios founder, former CEO, and after seeing his baby safe within Microsoft’s environs, now in charge of his new baby Wideload Games.

In an interview with The Armchair Empire’s Omni, he mentions the thought that the old E3, for all the excitement it brought to the industry, was a “huge drain” that did not, from a developer’s perspective, “serve any purpose whatsoever.” While he didn’t mention Evolve PR’s contention that the old E3 was better for networking and publicity, Alex argued that the old E3 simply evolved (or devolved) into “one big strokefest for the publishers to see who could make the most noise.”

It generated a lot of buzz in the industry but as far as translating into how good a game is, it seemed to have zero effect – if anything a negative effect. And in terms of translating into sales, I don’t how you could possibly justify the expense. I think that’s why it’s gone away.

It’s rather… interesting to compare E3 into, er, male urinal envy… or a pissing contest. We will be… un-graphic about this and interpret Alex’s statements to be a commentary on the hype-and-noise factor of old-E3, the very factor ESA cited as the reason for “downsizing” the event.

Time will tell whether the new E3 will fulfill its purpose and be worth the ride for the developer. On the other hand, the invite-only restriction still means that covering the new “fest” will still be a pain for the small press.