Topic: Getting into E3

[JonLeung]

Yes, this is a serious topic.

I want to get into E3 this year, if I ever am able to go to one, this would be it.

Only thing is, I had hopes last year that I'd be able to do it this year.  Looking over the requirements list I'm scratching my head as to how I thought I could, it doesn't seem any different from last year.

E3 2006 Accepted Form of Industry Identification
Resale Tax Certificate
Company Credit Card (WITH APPLICANT'S NAME)
Insurance Card
Business Ad (WITH BUSINESS CARD)
Business License
Commercial Lease (WITH COMPANY NAME)
Paycheck Stub
W-2 Form

WTF.  I don't think I have any of those.  I'll be getting a cheque from a certain somebody for advertising (you know who), but it's not a steady paycheque, it's not like I actually work for them, so I don't know if it counts as a paycheque stub.

Business license?  Where do I get one of those?  Would my site qualify as a "business" in anyone's definition?  I looked on my city's web site.  Yeah, I don't provide a real service or have any real products, other than a cheap Cafepress store.  Big whoop.  I seriously doubt I could be taken seriously if I tried to apply for a city business license.  Sure, I make money from advertising now (from two different sources) but what kind of business is that?  Advertising seems like the obvious choice, but I don't know, I don't feel like a business.

I've seen sites that seemed smaller and less well-known than mine (not to be arrogant, but I have a feeling that is the case) whose webmasters got in without a problem.  I thought I heard that if I registered as "media personnel" it should be easy to get in.  I see nothing like that on the official E3 registration form.

I should find those web sites again, who had those claiming to have gone to E3, and ask them what channels they went through.  If there's still a possibility I can get in with my dorky site, I must!

In the meantime I'll ask here.  I'm guessing that SOMEbody here must've been able to get into E3.  The deadline is my birthday, April 7, so I still have some time but I can't dawdle...

Stupid thing is that I don't want to go alone, but I operate my web site alone, so even if I can get in, would I want to go alone?  There must be some way I can take one friend.  It'll be sucky without at least someone there I know...sheesh.

EDIT: I found a bunch of forum posts from people saying stuff about how easy it is to get in (apparently they won't check into your credentials if it sounds like you have anything to do with games, even if loosely, as long as you have credentials to begin with), but among the more reputable is this: http://nintendo.about.com/od/e32005coverage/a/howtoe32005.htm
I gotta keep digging...

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

EDIT:  Hey, that link you have is nearly a year old.  Not sure how effective the "retail store clerk" & other methods are.  Berto2k pointed out to me the recent retailer restrictions from the official reg site.

It's not looking good for you.

The requirements have ramped up since the start of the "last" generation.  It's their way of weeding out potential visitors who aren't in "estrablished" media outlets.

I attended E3 2001 as Media, being part of a startup outlet as an editor/writer.  We had an active site, recently published reviews, and a business license for an "online entertainment publication" (dependent on ad revenue).  We had a couple friends join us via BS titles like "server technician" and "assistant editor".  And individual business cards.  That got us into E3 and the Nintendo press conference.

These days, I highly doubt that's enough to fly.

All the "media personnel" designations are there in the criteria you listed, they're just masked as those stringent requirements.

Say you worked for IGN.  IGN is a business providing some kind of service, with proper licenses and credentials, and has employees.  E3 expects you, the paid employee, to be able to provide those documents; proof you're an employee and proof that IGN is a business.

Similarly, E3 is making it harder for game store clerks to get in by limiting eligibility to employees at higher positions (restricting to managers or store owners maybe?) and putting another limit on how many "extra" employees can tag along with them.

E3Expo is cracking down on visitors who don't "really" have business at the show.  Otherwise it's a show to take pictures of stuff and grab company swag so you can sell it on eBay.  Sorry if i sound blunt.  

[Nephilim]

You could go as media
volunteering at a local tv station isnt a hard thing to do

[JonLeung]

Thanks for the info, Pro.  I figured you were more than just Daisy's stalker.  

Since you were there at E3 2001, which I imagine was one of the more exciting E3s, would you say it was worth it?  I figured I might as well still give it a shot if I can figure out what kind of credentials I can obtain for what little I do have.

I had also read in my searches last night that it was easy to get into E3, but that it's become more difficult in later years.  And I guess getting into one isn't a guarantee to be able to get into the next, huh?

Ideally, yes, IDEALLY, I'd like to register soon, get approved soon, along with enough friends to keep me company, have enough time to easily make all the necessary travel and boarding arrangements, make it there without a problem, and have a good time.  I'm not so sure how much of that is realistically possible, especially the "taking some friends" part, but if I freak out about trying to get into E3 now, I figure I'd have a better chance than if I start figuring out how to do it in the spring.  Even if I have to go alone...

Would you say it's worth going to alone?

I just figure I should register with my friends if we're all going together, to get it all out of the way and to ensure that we'd all go.  But if I have the best chance if at all by just trying to register for myself, maybe I should just do that.  I am the only one working on my site anyway.

[couchmonkey]

Ironically, I read a letter to Nintendorks last year complaining about how E3 is getting more and more packed with people who have no business there.

I'd like to go using my site as a basis too, but that ain't going to happen this year, I guess.  If I did go I'd report on it on my site, as I don't want to be one more person who's just there for kicks.  Good luck!  If you get in, I hope we can get a full report!

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Well that's a tough question.  Considering my scenario, the experience was definitely fun, but I have no desire to go back again.  I guess once was enough, and I'm satisfied.  I'm inclined to say "no, it wasn't worth it", because I mostly came back with memories and neat stuff -- what bothers me is I exposed myself to all sorts of cool products, but I couldn't take ANY OF IT back home with me.  Seriously, between E3-2k1 and the GameCube launch, i had this weird mental gaming drought.  I got spoiled, and waiting to play "the new games" again SUCKED.  I usually don't have that problem cuz my media exposure would be limited to screenshots and trailers, but going hands-on causes a worse impact.  I'm crazy.  Really, the event is window-shopping for retailers and press.  My opinion would be much more positive if we were able to buy what we saw.  For people who are simply there for fun, it's about atmosphere, previewing new stuff, and swag.

It might be worth going alone... if you actually had something to accomplish there.  I remember running into attendees who were there basically looking for work opportunities -- writers, artists, etc.  So yeah, for them it's business.

Otherwise, I'd recommend having a friend along for these simple points:
- Someone to share the fun with.
- Someone to share the exhaustion with.
- Safety/security (someone to watch your back; thefts do occur, might catch some flu from Japan, etc).
- An extra pair of arms to carry more swag.

~~~~~

All I really want out of E3 these days are the source materials the press receives, dvd trailers (cuz of my obsession with video media).  And since I know a couple cool people who do go to E3 and may hook me up, my bases are covered.

[Cyrian]

I've been going since 2001, and the past two years I've gotten pre-registration emails that let you register with just a click if your creds were the same as the previous year (all on the honor system, they didn't actually check). But, I haven't gotten that email yet this year, which makes me think that the stories about entry requirements being a lot stricter this year may be true. Very disappointing, especially considering last year kinda sucked but this year was going to be great.

hm, now it says "If you are from the retail sector, you must be selected by your parent company to attend."
Selected by your parent company? What does that mean?

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

That's basicaly what I mentioned earlier.

E3Expo, I gather, isn't letting "every" retail employee with sufficient credentials get in.  They're using an invite system, with limited invites made available directly to the organization itself (or the store owner?  I don't know exactly) to be further shared down the chain of command.  In short, it means your basic retail clerk isn't automatically eligible; he/she will only be granted a pass to E3 thru someone higher up in the company who did receive an original invite.

Question is, how many invites were sent to the company? how many employees can be attached to one invitation pass?  and how are these invites distributed throughout the chain (to the store manager? the store owner? the regional operations office?)?

Using EBgames as an example, worst case would be the EBgames corporation/central office/whatever is the "parent company" they're talking about.  They're the ones with the E3 passes, but only so many can get to go.

And the penalty for registering online without proof of invite before April 17 is like $500 or something.  Careful!  

[kirby_killer_dedede]

I'm sure several people on these boards work for Gamestop or something of the like.  Anyone?

[JonLeung]

Do you think a one-time cheque for advertising for a year on my site from IGN Entertainment counts as a paycheque?  I'm not paid regularly, and am not an employee, but it shows that I have some tiny amount of affiliation with IGN.

Which forms of industry identification would be easiest to obtain before then?  Someone said business cards, but I notice the web site says a business ad must go with that.  Crap.

EDIT: Since my site is more like a media outlet, it would seem I should be looking at the Media applications, which ironically seem like they would be easier to fulfill the requirements and yet would get me a better pass.  Weird.

Anyway, here are the Media requirements:

Freelance Journalists:
Please note: Freelance writers from unqualified media outlets will not be admitted. Qualification of all media outlets will be determined by the E3 2006 Media Registration staff.

-A copy of your driver’s license or government issued photo identification clearly showing your name and date of birth (no one under 18 will be admitted), AND
-A copy of your business card with name, editorial title and media outlet's logo, AND
-A PRINTED copy of your online publication with your name and title appearing in an editorial capacity, including a bylined interactive entertainment industry-related article from your publication written by you and published within the last six months (the copy must clearly show the name of the publication and your byline), AND
-A copy of the Web site's business license or government issued documentation showing the business's federal tax identification number.

WTF at the last one.  It's the only one in my way!  Or would I already have that and not know it?

[UncleBob]

>Business Ad (WITH BUSINESS CARD)

It seems to me that this one would be pretty easy to work your way around...

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

"-A copy of the Web site's business license or government issued documentation showing the business's federal tax identification number."

That's the regular ol' business license you mentioned in the very first post.  Apply for it through your county or city, pay the application fee (I recall ours was ~$100), and BAM you've got a licensed business.

[JonLeung]

Thanks again for your help, Pro 666!  I'm getting some more confidence about this again.  I guess it's up to E3 to decide whether I'm going, though; do you think VGMaps.com has a chance?  I'm thinking of making a section for editorials, rants, and reviews, (other than my usual rants in my forums,) to make it more current and relevant as a news source.  Think they'll be more likely to approve it then?

If I tried to get two or three friends to come in addition to myself, would that be pushing it?  Or did I ask you that already?  Though I suppose E3 would be able to tell me best.  >_>  I want to go with someone, but not if that hurts my chances of being there at all myself.  If I screw up, or get rejected, is it possible to reapply for the same year?

And how are the conferences held?  I'm confused as to whether the big consolemakers' conferences are with all those other little separate ones or if they're big events separate from even those...I wouldn't want to miss those, especially Nintendo's!

[Cyrian]

Don't bother asking E3. They'll just give you a copy and paste answer from the website. Best bet is to just try and push it. Worst thing that can happen is they say no.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

If VGMaps is gonna have any chance as "media", you have to make it appear to feature articles "of an editorial capacity."  Reviews/previews in particular (for upcoming products or ones released within the past 6 months of your E3Expo application).  If any friends are tagging along, you've gotta convince E3 they're active members of the publication too (again, reviews/previews with bylines).  Each media candidate must have a respective [VGmaps] article printed & submitted along with the other credentials (business license, driver's license copies, etc.).  Whether you make your friends contribute stuff to VGmaps, or you write everything and stick their names on it, is your call.  Names of candidates have to be on individual articles when E3 reviews the credentials.

As for Sony/MS/Ninty press conferences, those are not part of the E3.  They don't take place at the the expo, and they're conducted on the day(s) before the Expo.  Those work by invitation-only, and it's probable you'll miss out on Nintendo's invitation.  There was that news story a few weeks back about a brochure sent to media outlets about revealing Rev and having the conference at the Hollywood Theater or something; that was a teaser.  I haven't heard if the official invites were sent yet.  You must have established media relations with Ninty's press division a while ago to receive these kinds of things.

[wandering]

The business license thing suprised me. Does PGC have one? They get in, and I thought this place made no money.

Quote
As for Sony/MS/Ninty press conferences, those are not part of the E3.

Rev will be playable on the show floor, though, so it's all good.

[JonLeung]

That will suck if I can't get into the Nintendo conference, which sounds like the case from what you're saying, but hey, if I can get to E3 at all it'll be a step above...uh, not going, at the very least.

I was planning on a reviews/editorials section on VGMaps.com anyway, this is certainly spurring me to get it done.

I'm getting business cards made, and I'm hopefully hearing back from the business licensing people soon, and if all goes well, I'll finish up my registration.  If I get approved, then I'll consider getting my friends to come along - I don't want to make empty promises about being able to go or not.  I also keep getting this strange nagging feeling that if we all register at once, we'll be less likely to get any passes at all, so if I get one first, then they can try to apply with my help but if they get rejected it shouldn't affect my access.  I hope.

Hopefully this topic will turn into my journal of getting to E3, and that it won't end prematurely.

[Pale]

Hey man, congrats on your site's linkup at vgcats.com...

It's funny, cause vgcats is so close to vgmaps... =P

[JonLeung]

HOLY CRAP.  VG CATS?  My hits are going to get a boost!  

I wrote to Brian Clevinger (8-Bit Theater) and Scott Ramsoomair (VG Cats) last week when I was asking about E3.  Brian got back to me with a surprisingly long anecdote, but Scott quickly and dryly gave me a link to e3expo.com, which I already knew about.  I said I didn't want to take up too much of his time, being a fan of VG Cats myself, but I was hoping he could've at least said a bit more.  I emailed him last year casually-like and he seemed like a friendly guy.

Looks like he decided to check out my site after all and he likes it!    It's always good when someone bigger than me makes mention.  Last year I got a good sized fraction of all the hits I ever got in a single weekend alone after it was posted on Slashdot, and I got more on my GameSHOUT interview and again on G4TV.

I guess these bits of recognition may not directly help my E3 application, but they probably shouldn't hurt it.

[Berto2K]

I've been to the last 2 E3's (this year will be my 3rd..woot), and I gotta 2nd Pro's complaints about having kinda a lapse in gaming after playing all the new stuff then having to wait for months for ths tuff to come out...like the DS.  

As Pro said, your chances of getting into the press conferences are pretty slim to none at this point.  I know of someother smaller sites that that are more well known, have been around for a couple years even that don't get in.

If you started to add say news posts to your site regularly it will help also.

After last year's E3, there were loooots of complaints from many many people in the media (including myself) who emailed the e3 expo staff complaining about how crowded it had become because many retail employee who worked at a company that even sold games could get in.  It made it really hard to get work done, and killed my enthusiasm as well.  I'm really glad they setup the 2 hour window for press only on the first day, and are really limiting who can get in this year.  It will make is much easier for all sites to provide better coverage.

One of the main reasons why they require license, is to filter out all the gecities/yahoo/other free websites any person can setup.  However, more bloggers are being accepted the last couple years too as they are growing in numbers and reputation.

Besides going to play the games and such, the other reason I go is to meet the other staffers from my site.  We've got people from around the globe and its awesome to meet them for even 5 days a year.  I get more enjoyment and memories from hanging out with the other people, than from the actual event.  

If you are able to get in, I would highly suggest having friends go with you.  Besides the reasons Pro listed above, it can also help with hotel costs.