I think this will be my seventh E3. Each year I say I’ll never go back, and yet each year I can’t wait to arrive. Call it a love/hate relationship.

This is indeed the 10th anniversary of E3 and, as noted by ESA big boss Doug Lowenstein, they’ve got a few tricks up their sleeve. For one, I am looking forward to the “Into the Pixel” art exhibit. Sounds fresh and very non-E3-like. Also, it is fantastic that E3 is hosting the “Education Arcade” with MIT. This is a follow-on event from the Serious Games Summit held recently at GDC. The speaker list is impressive - both on the academic and pro fronts.

I’ll be conducting a panel on game design rules during the conference program. With Tim Willits (Doom3), Jordan Mechner (Prince of Persia), Grant Collier (Call of Duty) and John Schapert (EA), it should be informative.

Lastly, I am particularly looking forward to the IGDA’s first members-only party. It is fun to see who’s coming (some impressive names on there). Best of all, I get to control the volume of the music. For the first time at an industry party, developers will actually be able to talk to each other!!!

Joy :)