It’s truly tragic… An icon of video games for years is now being relegated to the dustbin of history, despite the spin. Next Generation delivers the obituary:

As Next-Gen exclusively reported Sunday, all major exhibitors have effectively pulled their support from the show, prompting the majority of game publishers to also cancel plans for high-cost booths. The ESA will make an announcement later today that will attempt to add some gloss to this catastrophe, with some form of media-focused boutique event - branded E3 - taking its place.

Some gullible journalists, evidently blinded by a desire to do-down a rival scoop, have taken this as evidence that E3 is alive and well and merely being ‘downsized’. But this euphemism doesn’t change the facts. The decision by big manufacturers and publishers to walk away has left ESA in damage-control mode. As we reported yesterday, E3, in its present form, is dead.

I don’t know what to think about this. On one hand, it seems somewhat logical that the age of the big tradeshow would have to end at some point (anyone remember Comdex?). I just never thought it would happen to E3. If you’re a game geek, E3 is as much of an icon as the companies who exhibit there. Now it appears to be over as companies decide to have their own tiny and intimate events, most likely with NDA’s handed out at the door.

I’m sure it brings no one any pleasure to come to terms with this bit of news. As far as I’m concerned, it’s devastating.

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