E3 has annually drawn thousands of journalists, retailers, exhibitors and others. It was originally started to give games publishers a platform to announce new products and consoles are available for testing. The Entertainment Software Association who host the E3 will stop being a trade show and become a more “intimate event.” According to the official press release from the ESA:

The world of interactive entertainment has changed since E3Expo was created 12 years ago. At that time we were focused on establishing the industry and securing orders for the holiday season,” said Douglas Lowenstein, President of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo. “Over the years, it has become clear that we need a more intimate program, including higher quality, more personal dialogue with the worldwide media, developers, retailers and other key industry audiences.