e3insider.com Opens E3Expo's "Virtual Doors" to Gamers around the Globe
Consumer Web Site Expands Show Coverage and Exclusive Features
LOS ANGELES - May 11, 2005 - E3Insider (www.e3insider.com), the official virtual gateway of the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo), will go live on May 16 with extended show coverage and exclusive photos and news, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. The general public can visit E3Insider for an unprecedented look inside the world's premiere interactive entertainment trade show, held May 17 - 20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC).
"E3Insider opens the official 'virtual doors' to E3Expo, offering consumers from around the globe an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the products and trends that will be shaping their future entertainment experiences," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo. "This year's site provides gamers with unmatched access to the show floor, the exhibitors, the latest news and the best promotions, truly making E3Insider the best place on the Web to experience the event."
Now in its third year, E3Insider 2005 delivers many new features that provide gamers with an all-access virtual tour of E3Expo, offering extensive coverage, behind-the-scenes stories, and exclusive reports provided through:
- Expanded coverage, including exhibitor press conferences and booths;
- A "Featured Exhibitor" section housing all the coverage for each specific exhibitor on its own page, including a photo of the exhibitor's booth;
- E3Insider's original video news show, "Floored," providing up-to-the-minute coverage in a new, shorter format;
- The "Insider's Blog," bringing visitors a constant flow of site updates; and
- An enhanced newsroom section offering a one-stop-shop for all show and exhibitor news.
Creating the ultimate virtual show experience for consumers is achieved not only with comprehensive news coverage, but through engaging site features including photo galleries, video clips, quick polls, fun facts, a new category and text search, interviews with industry leaders; and the popular "Fan Cam" featuring an all new "fan" who will provide raw, unedited footage for the site, including "backstage" views of restricted show areas. E3Insider will also offer exclusive contests, such as "E3Insider's Next-Gen Console Sweepstakes," where consumers can win all three of the next generation game consoles complete with a library of games.
E3Insider attracted a record number of visitors in 2004, with more than 100 million hits, 6.5 million page views and over 700,000 unique users during the three days of show. The 2004 site was ranked the fifth fastest growing Web site in the world during the three days of the show and among the 2,500 most visited sites on the Net by Alexa, an Internet traffic site ranking company. This year's site sponsors include Audi, Hollywood Records, G4, Spike, Mountain Dew and "War of the Worlds."
About E3Expo
E3Expo is the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products. The show, now in its eleventh year, is owned by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.e3expo.com or www.theesa.com.
E3Expo is a trade event, not open to the general public. Only working journalists with qualified media outlets will be eligible to register for media badges. No one under the age of 18 will be admitted, including infants. This policy is strictly enforced.
CONTACT:
E3Expo Media Relations
Ehrin Cummings, 310-967-2974
Casey Callaway, 310-967-2975