E3 2018 has come and gone in the most definitive of ways. This article will be the final E3 2018 piece that I write, and the last piece to go live in the week after the event. After making 13 previews, two interviews, two podcasts, and this one feature, it’s safe to say that I’m kind of tired. Almost every waking minute of the last week has been spent writing or eating, whether I was in an airbnb, an airport, or my basement- and I wouldn’t have it any other way. E3 isn’t perfect, but from the perspective of someone who loves games media with every ounce of my being, it’s still the best week of the year.
Naturally, I’m speaking as a member of games media. Someone who attended E3 with a Gamer Pass (general admittance) for fun or to check the show out will likely have a much different outlook on the event than I do. But as media, I found E3 2018 to be both better and worse than E3 2017, as confusing as that may sound. While the inclusion of industry hours was certainly a smart move on the ESA’s part, the increased security, as well-intentioned as it may be, was clunky to say the least.
When you have multiple meetings outside of the LA Convention Center, you’re going to be going in and out of the center quite a bit. With metal detectors, bag inspections, and pat-downs at every door, this can not only be a huge annoyance, but it can mess with your entire schedule if the lines are long. To clarify, I completely get why security has been buffed. The last year has been turbulent for mass violence, so I can completely understand the ESA following the “better safe than sorry” mindset. But there’s got to be a middle ground of some sort, right? Whether it’s reduced media security, more security booths, or clear bags for guests. I’m not going to pretend I know what’s best, but there’s got to be something better than the current process.
At the same time, industry hours definitely made the show better for everyone. I’m glad so many gamers can check out E3 now, and it looked as though a lot of general admittance attendees were having a lot of fun. There was probably still a great deal of waiting in lines for general attendees, but having hours for industry/media only likely lightened the load in that regard. These hours also made it way easier for myself and Will to get to demos and appointments before things got too crowded, though I think an entire press day a la Gamescom would be a good step forward. There’s always a twinge of guilt to being brought to the front of a line as media, even though it’s part of the job. Maybe it’s the Canadian in me or something.
The real highlight of events like E3 (at least for me) comes from hanging out with the MonsterVine team and media friends. I could rant for days about what MonsterVine has given me and how much I love the crew, but the gist of it is that hanging out and cracking jokes with the team is some of the most fun one could ask for. Running around the center and learning about the industry with Will, drinking sake and annoying Austin with hypotheticals, teaming up with Jessica to lightly bully Michael, or talking to PJ about Smash Bros. and Newgrounds, and grabbing ramen with the wonderful David Bruno were all huge highlights of the week. The brief time we talked to Diego on Skype was a highlight as well of course, as we’re the tightest of weeb bros. Just doing the work I love with the coolest people out there makes the whole week worth it.
So was E3 2018 perfect? No, there’s certainly work to be done. But I think the ESA will definitely make some changes going forward, and either way, even the longest security line is fun when you’re with friends.
