LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Thousands of video gamers and electronic media professionals from around the world will converge on the Los Angeles Convention Center today for the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the video gaming industry's annual trade show.
The three-day show, known as E3, expects over 60,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors and several thousand products on display, including 150 products that are being released at the show.
One of the features of this year's show will be an e-sports competition hosted by the Entertainment Software Association, the trade association that represents the U.S. video game industry and owns and operates E3, and ESL, the world's largest independent e-sports company.
``Together with ESA, the E3 ESL Arena will expose traditional game enthusiasts to high-quality, professionally produced competitions that create the ultimate e-sports experience,'' said Yvette Martinez-Rea, CEO North America, ESL. ``We hope to reach gamers from all over the world, engaging both old and new fans alike.''
E3 also announced that the E3 Coliseum event will return to L.A. Live, with producer Geoff Keighley giving gamers three full days of panels and behind-the-scenes access to the show's big announcements.
``E3 draws the biggest names in video games and entertainment for an incredible worldwide experience,'' Keighley said. ``And with three days of programming, this year's E3 Coliseum will bring together video game fans, game creators, and special guests from popular culture to celebrate the most powerful form of entertainment in the world.''
This will be the second year in a row that E3 is open to the public, with at least 15,000 of the attendees expected to be gamers and fans. Before last year, only industry insiders and press could attend.
``Gamers raise the energy of E3 to a fever pitch, reinforcing its place as the world's preeminent event for video games,'' said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of ESA.
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