Out of curiosity I decided to look at the dates for GDC and E3. Which are March 23-27, and June 2-4 respectively. Basically this year the events are seperated by all of two months. Initially I was disappointed after all last year the GDC took place February 18-22, and E3 July 14-17. So there was a five month gap between events. So I was a little dismayed, because not only do I have to wait two more months, but what if the big players decide to starve the first event to get the big word in with the last event. I mean the temptation has to be there to not be upstaged at the last second.
Then I dwelled upon some recent comments from a Microsoft executive talking about their plans for the E3 show. The comments were along the lines of showing a farther outlook at E3, and it occurs to me that is actually kind of huge for Microsoft who almost never announces anything that is more then six months away. Could they be looking at the events, and rather then deciding to split the difference or place their energy on one. Instead deciding to double their output. Could they be looking at the first event being about the upcoming holiday season, and the second event as the unveiling for what they are doing for the next year?
Could the proximity of these events actually have a net positive effect. Could we be better off as viewers for having the first event later, and the second event sooner? How do you think the manufacturers and major third parties will respond to having so much concentration of events? Do you think it could be positive, or do you think it basically guarantees that one event is going to hell? What do you think is the winning strategy for each player?
This is actually a rather large landscape change it could make for a very interesting if somewhat delayed news cycle. I would like to say this post is obviously not flamebait, bashing, or in any way referential to current market position. In this discussion all players are even. So for those that are frustrated by those threads this is a chance for you to encourage the opposite kind of thread. Both generic and harmless.
