Newseek: E3 2009 Format a Result of "Politically Difficult" Negotiations

Newsweek's N'Gai Croal reports that the new, publicly accessible E3 was born of "long, bruising and politically difficult negotiations."

Although Croal does not specify which entities were hashing out the E3 2009 formula, such talks would presumably include the ESA, which owns the show, the ESA board of directors, ESA member companies and, possibly, representatives from the city of Los Angeles.

The new E3 will run June 2-6 at the L.A. Convention Center. Croal's Level Up blog includes comments from his unnamed source on the deal:

It was a long journey to get there, politically. After vehemently opposing a bigger show three years ago--to now go back to the board, admit a mistake, and advocate for a bigger show. It reflects well on the [ESA] and the [ESA] board to recognize they made a mistake and, regardless of how it would look publicly, go ahead and fix it.

 

The [big] three [console manufacturers'] positions are opposed, indifferent and mildly supportive--not going to say which is which—to adding a consumer show on the back of the media and business summit.

GP: Croal's source credited EA with leading the push to a new format. Indeed, EA CEO John Riccitiello was on record as among those who hated the awful 2008 show.

If we were guessing as to the Newseek source's comments on the big three, we'd say that Sony was opposed (strapped for cash), Nintendo was indifferent (making big money either way) and Microsoft mildly supportive.