Last year, a number of high-profile publishers gave the video game industry’s biggest industry trade show a skip. Instead, they focused on fan events which let consumers get in on the action. One of those publishers was Electronic Arts, who hosted their inaugural EA Play in both Los Angeles and London.
It’s obviously worked out for them – as they’ll be doing it again this year. EA’s announced the dates and location for EA Play 2017.
“Whether in person or online, EA Play 2017 will connect fans around the world to EA’s biggest new games through live broadcasts, community content, competitions and more. Those that can attend in Hollywood will experience hands-on gameplay, live entertainment and much more. For anyone joining digitally around the world, EA Play will feature livestreams, deeper looks into EA’s upcoming games and experiences, and content from some of the best creators in the community,” EA said in its press release
Last year, their event was at Club Nokia, which is a stone’s throw from EA’s main exhibition halls. This year, they’re hosting it a little further away, at the Hollywood Palladium.
“EA Play was such a powerful platform for us last year to connect with our player community. We learned a ton, and we wanted to build on everything we loved about last year’s event to make EA Play 2017 even better,” EA corporate communications VP John Reseburg told Gamesindustry.biz.
It’ll be interesting to see if any other major publishers follow suit this year. Last year, Activision, Disney, Wargaming and EA were conspicuously absent from E3’s still packed halls.
I understand why publishers are opting more and more for fan events – and I can’t say I blame them. Consumers can often have an infectious, unbridled sense of enthusiasm about playing unreleased games – and the positive impact that can have on social media and general mindsets around games is worth every cent. I just hope this year is the year they get their press conference right.
Need more E3 in your life?
Check out our E3 2017 portal powered by Megarom Games and PlayStation
Last Updated: January 19, 2017
Admiral Chief
January 19, 2017 at 08:38
Is E3 really worth it though?
Kromas Ryder
January 19, 2017 at 08:40
The EA event won’t be worth it either since well … ME:A will already be out.
Ir0nseraph
January 19, 2017 at 11:36
Depends on how much of their Star Wars games the show.
Ottokie
January 19, 2017 at 08:46
Well E3 really has become meh over the years. Always showing fake gameplay vids and reporting on features that never even make it into the games.
PurplePariah
January 19, 2017 at 08:51
Now we get to see the same thing from fan events. Awesome, so many things to hate on! Bring on 2017!!!
Kromas Ryder
January 19, 2017 at 09:06
The only event really worth it still is Blizzcon. Even on their super slow years (like last year) we got to see a decent amount of new things in the works.
40 Insane Frogs
January 19, 2017 at 09:27
‘Member when we used to be excited about E3?
HvR
January 19, 2017 at 09:50
Heard Activision is doing the same, it going yo be a 43 minute presentation followed by 3 hour session where all the attendees can talk with each other