E3Expo 2003 Opens Doors to the Future of Interactive Entertainment

Three-Day Trade-Only Event Opens and Sees Launch of a New Web Site for Consumers

May 2003 (Newstream) -- The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo), the world's most important interactive entertainment show, opened its doors today at the Los Angeles Convention Center to tens of thousands of industry professionals. In addition, because the show does not admit the general public, E3Expo also opened its "virtual doors" to consumers for the first time ever through the launch of a new web site, E3Insider.

E3Insider (www.e3insider.com) gives consumers the ability to experience the excitement of this exclusive trade-only event and get a feel for the trends being seen and the products being showcased. The site, which went live today, offers visitors an insider's look at what's happening at E3Expo, including a preview of new game titles and related products through exclusive booth photos, video clips, interviews and stories.

More than 1,350 never-before-seen computer and video games and related products will be showcased throughout the three days of E3Expo, according to the show's owner, the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). In addition to previews of entertainment software and related products, E3Expo attendees can take advantage of 33 educational conference sessions and panel discussions featuring more than 100 industry leaders. The conferences cover a wide variety of topics, from effective business strategies to game development to online & wireless trends, all led by interactive entertainment industry innovators.

E3Expo, now in its ninth year, is owned by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. IDSA members collectively account for more than 90 percent of the $6.9 billion in entertainment software sales in the U.S. in 2002, and billions more in export sales of American-made entertainment software. The IDSA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show, business and consumer research, government relations and First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts.

E3Expo is a trade event, not open to the general public. Only working journalists with qualified media outlets will be eligible to register for media badges. No one under the age of 18 will be admitted, including infants. This policy is strictly enforced.