GamerArc: The Electronic Entertainment Expo (March 20, 2009)

I occasionally ramble about video games, seeing as how I have a vested interest in them (both for personal entertainment and because I design some limited versions - online and otherwise - and certainly would love to work on bigger and better projects in that realm.) They're one of my primary interests and enjoyments, as a strong subset of my interest in computers and technology in general.

I'm also familiar with the E3, or Electronic Entertainment Expo -- although I had heard at some point in the past that they weren't doing them anymore, when I was familiar with them they were known as a sort of exclusive trade show for video games and similar apparati, the sort of place you'd go to see new consoles being released, or demos of new games. They were, at the time at least, the Mecca of video gaming. PAX (the Penny Arcade Expo) and similar smaller shows have since evolved to become a more easily accessible medium for actual gamers, and E3 was, last I heard, cancelled... or at the least, cutting back drastically and restricting access.

Right now, on my desk, I have an E3 Expo 2009 invitation, with priority code, to register for E3 Expo.

It's in California, on June 2nd through 4th. The chances of me actually being able to afford to get out there to attend it are nearly infinitesimal. The chances of it being interesting to anyone but me are likewise incredibly small. On the other hand, I have always ... always been envious of the journalists that get to go to these shows in the past, of the excitement of seeing things in person before anyone, of the sheer fun of it all. It's a major lifetime goal, and it's driving me crazy that it's almost within reach.

I wonder if Gather would sponsor a trip to California...

(Upon closer examination, in order to gain access with my invitation, I would need two forms of industry ID - such as a business license or a company credit card; while not unattainable, they'd require a fair amount of work to get in order, since I've been stalling on getting that taken care of. Getting in as a member of the media would require a letter from Gather stating that I am covering E3 Expo 2009 on assignment, a bylined article by me on the subject within the past six months, and a copy of Gather's business license or government-issued documentation indicating the business's federal tax identification number.

I really wish Gather had a Technology Essential right about now. Come on, how awesome would it be to get an inside line on the gaming of tomorrow? I think I need to write a letter.)