E3 2020 may leave Los Angeles
ESA CEO expresses concerns about venue as attendance rises by 30%
The organisers behind the Electronic Entertainment Expo are considering taking the show away from its traditional home at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
During a roundtable interview, ESA CEO Mike Gallagher said his organisation might explore other possible locations if the center fails to upgrade and modernise its facilities, GameSpot reports.
The exec specifically hopes to see increased floor space and a smoother route between the West and South halls, currently separated by a length corridor. If these expectations are not met, E3 may be hosted in another venue - and, by extension, away from Los Angeles.
E3 2018 is already booked in for June 12th to 14th next year, once again at the convention center. The venue will also host E3 2019, but no decision has been made for 2020.
The ESA has previously attempted to hold E3 at an alternative location. In 2007, the show became the E3 Media and Business Summit and was around Santa Monica. This was part of an attempt to make it more industry focused, capping the attendance to shut out bloggers and non-industry professionals, as well as bringing the costs down for exhibitors.
However, the experiment proved to be unpopular and E3 has been held in the LA Convention Center ever since 2008.
In stark contrast to its 2007 decision, E3 officially opened its doors to the public for the first time this year, selling 15,000 tickets to consumers who wanted to attend the show.
GameSpot reports the ESA has now revealed attendance for this year's event came in at 68,400 - boosted in part by those public tickets. The 30% increase over last year's 50,300 brings attendance figures close to the 70,000 peak seen in 1998 and 2005, according to IGN.
The ESA has yet to confirm whether it will sell public tickets for E3 2018. Gallagher said his team is gathering feedback from attendees - both industry and consumer - before confirming how the show will be structured next year.