Hooray for cordial invitations.

By now, everyone knows that this year’s E3 will be an invite-only function open to working members of the press. Several outlets including heavy hitters IGN, Gamestop, Gamespy and several widely respected blogs (see: Kotaku, Destructoid) were among to receive their invites.

The ESA has started distributing a second round of invites to editorial destinations (like ours) to enjoy this year’s highly anticipated media summit. For those of you keeping score, this year’s press function will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center scheduled to run July 15 - 17. Downsizing the event was a welcome change, but Santa Monica’s Barker Hanger just didn’t seem to cut it for a lot of the attendees. I am intrigued to see how things will turn out at the LACC without the massive numbers that used to storm the place in previous years. Oh, and although Kentia Hall might may an unexpected return, the Center won’t have the pitter-patter of cute booth babes.

The ESA’s hand in restructuring the media expo we’ve all come to know and love remains a work in progress, but the long term effort will be better for everyone involved. Publishers. Editors. Everyone. I won’t miss the days where I felt like each appointment was just a rushed tour to take on the next group waiting to see the featured lineup. I won’t miss the days of people that really had no business there and hogged up every playable station. (Thank god for E4All). I won’t miss the long lines getting registered. I will miss seeing some of my fellow colleagues though. Socializing during the day makes these events all the more enjoyable!