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How can I go to E3?

C

crisdecuba

Member
Let's say a person, such as myself, is interested in going to E3 this year. Let's also say that this person doesn't work in the industry - is it impossible for them to go? Can they pay to get in? If so, is it too early to buy tickets and whatnot? Also, I'm assuming if have a "ticket" or whatever for E3, then you don't need anything else to go to the various conferences, right?

Any information would be appreciated. :-)

~Cris
 
I understand that getting a job in the biz is the way to get in, but what about people who are willing to pay to go? Is that (or anything other than getting a job in the industry) possible?
 
You misunderstand: it is a requirement to work in a video game-related industry to get tickets. You still have to pay for them.
 
Mihail said:
You misunderstand: it is a requirement to work in a video game-related industry to get tickets. You still have to pay for them.
Click to expand...

Eh? Someone told me it was free to get in if you worked in the industry...
 
Mihail: Thank you! :-)

But I am not discouraged! Okay - so I have to get a job in the industry. This is more than likely going to take the form of the journalist. :-)

Okay, next question: What do they look for to validate my job in the biz? Can I write a couple of reviews for a gaming website? I'm sure there are some websites that are more legitimate than others - do they all get a chance to go?

Again, thank you in advance for any info thrown my way.

~Cris
 
crisdecuba said:
Mihail: Thank you! :-)

But I am not discouraged! Okay - so I have to get a job in the industry. This is more than likely going to take the form of the journalist. :-)

Okay, next question: What do they look for to validate my job in the biz? Can I write a couple of reviews for a gaming website? I'm sure there are some websites that are more legitimate than others - do they all get a chance to go?

Again, thank you in advance for any info thrown my way.

~Cris
Click to expand...

You won't get in this year this way anyway. Get a job in a Gamestop or EB some shitty place like that.
 
You don't have to pay if your in the industry.

Not to get on the show floor, only if you want to go to presenstations/meetings/conferences does it cost $.
 
crisdecuba said:
Hrmm... so with a job at Gamestop or EB, I can go?? :-) If so, then DONE! :-)

~Cris
Click to expand...

Geez, E3 isn't all it's hyped up to be. I think it's ridiculous that you're going to work at EB just to go wait in line at a trade show. Moreover, EB green badge guys only make the congestion worse every year!
 
John Harker said:
You don't have to pay if your in the industry.

Not to get on the show floor, only if you want to go to presenstations/meetings/conferences does it cost $.
Click to expand...

Actually, you do have to pay. It's like $400 I think for a basic show floor pass. Going to conferences cost more. Only media get in for free, unless you get free passes from a buddy at a publisher or something.
 
SnowWolf said:
Actually, you do have to pay. It's like $400 I think for a basic show floor pass. Going to conferences cost more. Only media get in for free, unless you get free passes from a buddy at a publisher or something.
Click to expand...

Right I see.

So, media=don't have to pay? No wonder so many go :lol
 
SnowWolf said:
Geez, E3 isn't all it's hyped up to be. I think it's ridiculous that you're going to work at EB just to go wait in line at a trade show. Moreover, EB green badge guys only make the congestion worse every year!
Click to expand...
This may sound pathetic :-), but I've taken a day off work to watch the conferences live on the net. I get really excited for it.

So, if I understand correctly:

1. Get a job at EB (or some other videogame retailer)
2. Pay for E3 ticket
3. Pay more for conference ticket

Final question: would Circuit City be a valid place to work? I'm assuming no, but thought I'd ask.

~Cris
 
I stayed up till the early hours of the morning but just like last year this year I'll be a spectator and troll as much as possible :D
 
crisdecuba said:
This may sound pathetic :-), but I've taken a day off work to watch the conferences live on the net. I get really excited for it.
Click to expand...

And guess what - you had a better time reading about it online than going there. You got to see all the good parts.
 
SnowWolf said:
Actually, you do have to pay. It's like $400 I think for a basic show floor pass. Going to conferences cost more. Only media get in for free, unless you get free passes from a buddy at a publisher or something.
Click to expand...
That's not true, although I didn't go this year I reserved tickets to the show floor free through my company. I also never had to pay from 1997 - 2000. Never once did I apply for a media press badge.

I always registered early however and they have that Industry Invitation thing going which must be the yearly flyers I get several months before the conference.

EDIT: HEY SNOWWOLF LONG TIME NO SEE!!!! :D
 
crisdecuba said:
Mihail: Thank you! :-)

But I am not discouraged! Okay - so I have to get a job in the industry. This is more than likely going to take the form of the journalist. :-)

Okay, next question: What do they look for to validate my job in the biz? Can I write a couple of reviews for a gaming website? I'm sure there are some websites that are more legitimate than others - do they all get a chance to go?

Again, thank you in advance for any info thrown my way.

~Cris
Click to expand...

Media passes are free. Most other types are not.

Ask your publisher/website if they are eligible to register for E3. Media registration requires a business license and other documentation. For you personally, you just need a published piece showing that you have written for that media outlet within the six months prior to E3. You'll also have to send a scan of your photo ID and business card.
 
SnowWolf said:
Actually, you do have to pay. It's like $400 I think for a basic show floor pass. Going to conferences cost more. Only media get in for free, unless you get free passes from a buddy at a publisher or something.
Click to expand...

The "Exhibits Only" pass is free if you register only, unless they've changed that recently. I sort of wish they would, because E3 is way too crowded with people who are just there to hang out. It makes it a lot harder for those of us who are there to work.
 
Actually, from my experience, you don't need a job in the Industry. You simply need a job.
Every year my father has been the backup and gotten in under his plumbing supply company, for the last 5 years.
Make the obvious Mario joke, but just try sending in credentials for whatever place you work at and see.
 
Jonnyboy117 said:
The "Exhibits Only" pass is free if you register only, unless they've changed that recently. I sort of wish they would, because E3 is way too crowded with people who are just there to hang out. It makes it a lot harder for those of us who are there to work.
Click to expand...


Which is why I'm wary of forking over the travel money to go and essentially hang out with you in May.
 
Wollan said:
What if you're an animation student?
Im studying Games Graphics Design(3 year bachelor).
Click to expand...
Student Ticket; get the chair of your program to sign and fill out all the appropriate paper work. They have the info on the website or you can e-mail them to find out what you need to send.
 
Wollan said:
What if you're an animation student?
Im studying Games Graphics Design(3 year bachelor).
Click to expand...

I've seen people from the art institute of California, so it can probably arranged.

Anyway, I'm still goin this year. I just hope I can get the money together.
 
If Im able to go then holy crap. Get to play Revolution and PS3 before most. :D
Hear wise words from experienced people...etc.
 
How much does the average hotel cost anyhow? I've been invited to go but I don't know how much I'm going to have to fork over in travel expenses for 2 people (myself and my "assistant"). I don't turn any profit from my game web site ;)
 
Hotel prices vary quite a bit but there is one golden rule; register ASAP and book everything you can the second you've secured E3 passes. Don't be afraid of getting a hotel that's far from the convention center either, you can always grab a bus/taxi but plan accordingly for the horrid traffic.
 
TekunoRobby said:
Hotel prices vary quite a bit but there is one golden rule; register ASAP and book everything you can the second you've secured E3 passes. Don't be afraid of getting a hotel that's far from the convention center either, you can always grab a bus/taxi but plan accordingly for the horrid traffic.
Click to expand...

Don't wait until you register to book your hotel. Prices always go up, and if you can't make it, most hotels will let you cancel your reservation 48 hours before with no fees. Secondly, cab fares in LA suck! You're looking at a minimum of $40+ each day in cab fares if you're any distance from the convention center. You can book through E3 housing in January and have access to the free shuttles, or stay somewhere close to a metro station where a day pass is only $2. I'm staying at the Universal Studios Hilton this year, because downtown LA sucks. There are only a few restaurants and there is nothing to do at night in downtown LA. As convenient as it was staying in the Holiday Inn City Center, I'd rather spend my free time at night outside of a hotel room.

P.S. The Ritz Milner is a rat hole of a hotel that smells funny with rooms the size of broom closets. Avoid at all costs.
 
There is always an E3 housing website that lets you book hotels that have free regular shuttle service between the convention center and your hotel. Very convenient and cabs are very expensive$$$. And no, if you register early, there is no fee for a floor pass. If you don't preregister, you pay appr. $400 for a floor pass.
 
M3wThr33 said:
Since the service and rates are so awesome, this year I'm going to try and stay again at Chez Parents.
Click to expand...

I think that's where I'm staying next year. They live in Chatsworth, so it's about a 30 minute drive each way but I think I'll come out saving money with free meals and free lodging.
 
p01ar said:
To get into the big conferences (MS, Nintendo, Sony) and most of the pre-E3 events you need to be invited.
Click to expand...

Indeed. If you really want to see the conferences live, you're better off staying at home and watching them online.
 
Do they generally invite specific people from websites, or is is a "IGN is invited" thing, where if you have a pass saying you're from IGN, you can go
 
Yeah, as people mentioned above, working in the industry is not the only way in. My one friend who lives in Cali goes to an art school there and got to go for free this past year.. there's a picture on her MySpace account showing her ""hugging" a giant Link poster/mural/thing...
 
i can't wait for e3 this year! Need to start looking for room mates early, staying at my aunts house was a huge hassle.
 
This is the reason why E3 gets suckier every year, because of fan boy congestion. I honestly hope they crack down and start turning people away at the door this year.
 
SnowWolf said:
Actually, you do have to pay. It's like $400 I think for a basic show floor pass. Going to conferences cost more. Only media get in for free, unless you get free passes from a buddy at a publisher or something.
Click to expand...

That's not true.

I didn't pay a damn dime. And I didn't have a media pass.
 
hmm I am interested in going though I don't work in the industri. I guess I need to figure something out.
 
Like everyone said in here: Cab's are a freakin rip-off: 60$ to a hotel in Hollywood from the airport? That's insane.


Yes I did pay that much last year.
 
Get a cheap plane ticket: I paid $230 round trip from NYC.

Stay in a hostel: I was in downtown LA for 5 nights, at $18 a night. (The beer was $2 at the hostel)

Get in for free: Go exhibits only with credentials (real or faked)

=

ONE HELL OF A VACATION!!!!
 
Raiden said:
Ubisoft gave you a job as writer for Splinter Cell 4?

:p
Click to expand...
:lol

Still working on that :lol

Actually I'm a writer for a gaming site, and we'll be attending E3 next year. I hope my schedule doesn't get in the way this time though. It's going to be so amazing next year, god. I'm just gonna skip school to go or something xd.

playable Revolution+playable PS3 FTW!
 
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