The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), producers of the high profile International Consumers Electronics Show held each year in Las Vegas, has decided to scuttle plans on developing its own game event. The original intentions to produce the show were first announced shortly after the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) officials stated their plans to severely downsize E3, the industry,s flagship convention extravaganza.
The plans were almost ready to launch, but upon further research, the CEA decided that it was not a good idea. Karen Chupka, senior vice president at the CEA, stated "At the request of our board, CEA spent the past few months soliciting industry feedback, via advisory committee meetings and a research survey, to determine the need for a new gaming event. During this process, we found a strong desire for a gaming event that included a broad array of the gaming industry, including PC and wireless gaming companies."
She continued, "Although CEA was prepared to launch a new event, the recent announcement by ESA that it would open its event to both ESA and non-ESA members and would include PC and wireless gaming, led us to conclude that a new spring West Coast event would likely not serve the best needs of the industry. At this point, we will continue dialog with the industry to determine if the need for a broader gaming event exists for 2008.”
However, in spite of the news that a new video game convention will not appear next year, the CEA seems to be open to the idea of producing a big game show in the future. In next year,s International Consumer Electronics Show, there will be a new “Gaming TechZone” offered to interested exhibitors in order to showcase gaming hardware and software.
