E For All Reveals Attendance Figures

Officials from IDG World Expo, organizers of the Entertainment for All (E for All) video game event have announced that an estimated 18,000 visitors attended over the course of the show’s four days, including consumers, developers, retailers and media. Although Nintendo was the only console manufacturer to attend the event with a full-sized stand, organizers claim that more than 70 leading interactive entertainment companies were there, along with 1,100 members of the media. Also involved was competitive gaming organization Major League Gaming, the Video Games Live concert, the “Into the Pixel” art exhibit and the Game Developers Conference and its Game Careers Seminar series. Described by some as the natural heir to the traditional form of the trade-only E3 expo, the visitor figures for the first E for All are significantly below that of E3 at its peak - when around 70,000 people attended the 2005 event over three days. Both events were held in the Los Angeles Convention Center. “We are thrilled with the attendance, and we are pleased that we delivered the event we aimed for, which was a celebration that truly was for the entire game community,” said Mary Dolaher, CEO of IDG World Expo. “With over 18,000 attendees on the show floor, from gamers and exhibitors, to developers, retailers and families, the mood was always fun and energetic. The response to the event was overwhelmingly positive, and we want to thank everyone for their tremendous support of E for All. We can’t wait to see you back at the Los Angeles Convention Center next year at E for All’s 2008 show,” she added. Gamasutra was present at the exhibition and has already provided initial impressions of the show floor and publisher and consumer attendance.