GWJ Meet & Greet E3 2K5! *CONFIRMED*

Time and place have been confirmed, please let us know in this thread if you're coming!

It will be myself, Pyro, Elysium and Reaper for sure.

Keep in mind that Elysium will sign any part of your body. I say this not because you might want an autograph, it's more of a general warning.

Date and details confirmed!

From Crawling Chaos:

Time: Thursday May 19th at 7pm

Place: Cat N Fiddle (http://www.thecatandfiddle.com/) 6530 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 323-468-3800

Here is a link to driving/walking directions:

It's 0.8 miles from the hotel you guys are staying at.

Certis has my contact info in case you get in a jam. They do not take reservations for the patio - so I've made a reservation for inside. I'm going to head over early and get us a spot on the patio if I can.

I've been to the Cat N Fiddle tons of times for after work gatherings and such, it's a great place that's off the tourista path. It's nearly in the shadow of the CNN building here on Sunset Blvd.

PM if you need any further information.

You know I''ll be there.

Next year guys, Next Year /cry

I''m gonna be there with bells on. You''ll have to guess where I put them!

It''s going to just be the four of us, crying into our beers. I just know it.

The day will come when I''ll be able to go to E3... especially... when E3 will be open to general public that is willing to pay!

especially... when E3 will be open to general public that is willing to pay!

It IS open to the public willing to pay.

From Dubious Quality

In a surprising turn of events, I'm now definitely going to E3. I basically misunderstood the E3 web page and couldn't figure out that imaginary journalists such as myself could attend as long as we scratched the appropriate-sized check. And it's not just imaginary journalists"”imaginary everyones can attend. Just bring that checkbook.

Package Four - Exhibits Only

Early Bird $275 (before April 15th)
Regular Price $325 (After April 15th)

Package Four includes a three-day exhibit floor pass.

...WTH?

Thx for the info Certis!

Huh?

I went to the e3 site to try to figure out what Harris was talking about. The e3 site''s opening line on the subject is ""As a trade event, E3 is only open to industry professionals."" Seems pretty clear, right?

I poked around and found that there seem to be some pretty rigorous standards for obtaining a media badge. Which makes sense, because it comes with some perks, including access to the show floor, media center, media hospitality suite, and a media briefing and breakfast.

But it appears that, despite the ""only for industry professionals"" line, anyone can register as an ""attendee."" The online registration section of the e3 site is now closed, but nowhere can I find a list of required credentials for anyone registering as an attendee. Pay your money, you get your badge.

The attendee FAQ says, ""E3 is not open to the public. E3 is a trade event and only professionals from the industry will be allowed to attend. Individuals who are not able to document their direct and current professional affiliation to the interactive entertainment industry are not qualified to attend E3."" And then: ""All E3 attendees are required to show government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver''s license or passport) upon request.""

So, you''re supposed to be able to document your industry affiliation, but really, you''re not going to need it to get your badge and walk through the door. At best, they might ask to see your drivers license. At least that''s how I read it. Plus, the price isn''t all that astronomical - depending on whether or not you''re wanting to attend any conference sessions, you''ll be paying between $325 and $550. Not bad for a once-a-year event.

I''d been thinking I was all special because I managed to finagle my way into the expo with nary an industry or media connection. I guess not!

I''m curious, is GWJ going as media? Or attendees?

We''re going as media. Hard core!

WOO!

It is actually pretty easy to get into E3 as a non-pro. Some people go the ""I''ve got a game site"" route - I have a friend who has a ""gaming website'' that exists only in HTML format on his Hard Drive - other people just splash out the cash. The Attendee registration folks are meant to check that you''re industry affiliated, but they don''t, usually. A bit of a risk, but not massive.

To be honest, I don''t think it''s worth laying out all that cash to go to E3 if you''re not doing it for a site or to survey the competition. It is fun, and you do get to see a bunch of games, but you''re not going to get much in the way of hands on time, it''s crowded as hell (personally, I think they need to be way more stringent about letting folks in) and after a while it all melds into this loud t-shirt filled, flop sweat scented blur.

Of course, I''ve been going for 7 or so years now, so maybe I''m jaded .

"Certis" wrote:

We''re going as media. Hard core!

Nice...maybe you can score me some cookies from the hospitality center.

(personally, I think they need to be way more stringent about letting folks in)

They are this year, I doubt your friend with an html page on his hard-drive would make it in without paying. They will not let anyone in without proper business creditials (US Tax number etc.) if you want to go as media.

"The Fly" wrote:
"Certis" wrote:

We''re going as media. Hard core!

Nice...maybe you can score me some cookies from the hospitality center.

There''s a hospitality center? Just stop by the IGN war room and grab food. So many people will be there no one will know you''re not with the company!

"Ulairi" wrote:

Just stop by the IGN war room and grab food. So many people will be there no one will know you''re not with the company! :)

Screw the games...stealing food from IGN is my new e3 mission.

Actually last year was the first year they check my credentials.

I had to bring a business card and 2 ads and/or a pay stub etc.

So I guess those creative with photoshop can go to kinko''s and print out a fake ad and cards or hell even a fake paystub.

I want to go, but I have class

maybe next year...

Of course, I''ve been going for 7 or so years now, so maybe I''m jaded .

Damn you.

"fangblackbone" wrote:

Actually last year was the first year they check my credentials.

I had to bring a business card and 2 ads and/or a pay stub etc.

So I guess those creative with photoshop can go to kinko''s and print out a fake ad and cards or hell even a fake paystub.

Was this for media registration, or general industry admittance?

I leave Thursday

2:30

so I no make it.

I wish I had the money to spare to goto a E3 event.
You can go if you work at one of the game stores, of couse you have to pay your own way then, but it covers all the earlier stuff.

(Woo, first post on here!)

I will be at the GWJ meeting. I will be at E3 on Wednesday. My offices are at Sunset and Vine (seriously)... just down the street from your hotel. Let me know if you need intel for a good place to meet.

I will be at the GWJ meeting. I will be at E3 on Wednesday. My offices are at Sunset and Vine (seriously)... just down the street from your hotel. Let me know if you need intel for a good place to meet.

Fill me in! This is what the Hotel Roosevelt page suggests:

Dining (within walking distance)
The Grill in Hollywood
The Magic Castle
Musso & Frank's
Pig "˜N Whistle
Les Deux Café
Café des Artistes
Wolfgang Puck's Brasserie Vert
Hollywood & Vine Diner
Mel's Diner

So far the Hollywood Vine is the front runner.

"Certis" wrote:

So far the Hollywood Vine is the front runner.

What, are you kidding? Over the Pig n'' Whistle? Or the Magic Castle?

Or the Magic Castle?

It''s a private club I''m told

If it moved from the sh*tty left coast to the wonderful east coast, I might go.

Yes, the Magic Castle is a private club. There is an outside chance I could get us in, though.

Let me do some research today and I''ll post some ideas.

/cry

i wish i was going

Sign me up as well. I will be at E3 most of Wednesday, part of Thursday and Friday for lunch.

Looking forward to the meet and greet on Thursday.

Yes, the Magic Castle is a private club. There is an outside chance I could get us in, though.

Let me do some research today and I''ll post some ideas.

Assuming the Magic Castle isn''t super-expensive I''m all for it! Be sure to let us know