D.I.C.E. and GDC to become invite only expos
Category: Industry, Posted: 02/29/2008 at 01:20AM CST by Andy Groen, Contributor
The operators of E3, GDC, and the D.I.C.E. summit, are considering a move that would put large constraints on who is to be allowed into their events. Citing concerns that the conventions have been overrun by superfluous press and fans, they may change the structure of these events to invite only
While the events would effectively become, press-only, all is not safe for game journalists either. Since the event will be invite only, a huge amount of attendees will be cut out as websites and magazines are allowed to send fewer and fewer employees for coverage.
While normally I would scoff at this notion, because one day this type of action could get my own invite revoked, after I saw a statistic from this year's GDC I changed my mind.
Reportedly, there were 16,000 attendees present at the show, and over 1,000 of those were press. I think it's safe to say that it's time to crackdown. While this would be a new move for D.I.C.E. and GDC, last year E3 became press invite only. E3 will again be looking to downsize its attendance as it tries to become a more streamlined event.
All you folks out there who in past years have made up fake websites to get into E3...the blame falls squarely on your shoulders.
[via Kotaku]
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16,000 for a convention? Psh. The glory years of E3 and Comic-Con easily put that to shame.
My big concern with GDC going invite only is that people used it as a networking event to break into the industry. How's a guy who goes to school in Texas and makes his own indie games going to get in to talk to guys from all the publishers and attend lectures if no one knows who he is to invite him?
First off, when I wrote that it's "time to crackdown", I meant that it was time to crackdown on press attendance. I should have been more clear now that I read it again. 1:16 ratio is way too huge for a convention for game designers. I mean GDC doesn't even really like having press there at all.
oh, and second, I totally agree with that second part you wrote about networking and wotnot.