E3 Sees Fastest Exhibit Sell-Out In Five Years

The organizers of this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) have revealed that they have sold out of exhibit space faster than at any other time in the last five years. 540,000 net square feet of exhibit space has been sold, covering five exhibit halls, making it the largest expo since 2000 – at the outset of this current generation of consoles. Further details of the next generation of consoles are likely set to be debuted at this year’s expo, with new information from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all promised in some form, with the next-generation Xbox extremely likely to get a full unveiling. "E3Expo 2005 brings us to the threshold of a new era of creative and technological innovation for the global computer and video game business, providing first looks at the next generation of hardware and previews of the advanced titles and technologies that consumers will be bringing home this holiday season," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers and owns E3. "With a show floor the size of 2,700 city blocks, an unparalleled business conference program, and more than 400 exhibitors from 87 countries, E3Expo is truly the best place on the planet to get down to the business of fun." E3 is now in its eleventh year, and is scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 17-19 for conference program and workshops, and May 18-20 for exhibits.