http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7631&Itemid=2
Of course 18,000 may be paltry compared to other, more established convetions, but I'd like to see the first year numbers of those as well.
The convention got a lot of put-downs from the gaming press, usually about the attendance and game selections, and for not having earth-shattering news announcements. Yet I remember the first PAX convention wasn't so hot either. And how big was the first E3?
Basically, the gaming press seemed to act like the eletist snobs that turn me off of film and music critics. By refusing to acknowledge that these problems could be merely growing pains, and instead acting as though these problems are somehow unique to this expo, they show a complete lack of reason and objectivity. They expected things from the show they should have known better.
EDIT: And Destructiod has similar thoughts on the criticism of the expo.
A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.
Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs
