E3 2013 Closes After Global Video Game Community Converges For Flagship Event

LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 48,200 video game industry professionals, investor analysts, journalists, and retailers from 102 countries attended this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. ESA also revealed that E3 2014 will occur June 10-12, 2014, in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Owned by ESA, E3 resulted in an estimated 28,000 total hotel room nights and generated nearly $40 million in revenue for the city. Approximately 230 exhibitors showcased the latest in computer and video game hardware and software, including the unveiling of the titles that will be the hottest computer and video games.

"This year's E3 showcased the best that our industry has to offer and channeled the immense energy, drive, and enthusiasm for video games onto a global stage," said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. "Thanks to our members and exhibitors' boundless capacity for innovation, billions of consumers are seeing the future of our industry through this outstanding landscape of creativity, technology and content."

In a surprise revelation, two universities tied to win the inaugural E3 College Game Competition, which was created by the ESA to recognize the best student talent in video game development. More than 60 universities competed to be one of the five finalists that exhibited at E3. The winners, Lost in Thought from Savannah College of Art and Design and Flash Frozen from The University of Wisconsin-Stout were chosen by a judging panel of revered game industry talent, and received a special showcase display and valuable networking opportunities at the show. Today, more than 380 U.S. colleges and universities offer courses and degrees in computer and video game design.

More than 390 buyers from retail stores and chains worldwide participated in E3's VIP Retailer Program - an elite service that provides buyers top-level concierge, travel, and hosting services.

The Entertainment Software Association is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, public computers, and the Internet. ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including conducting business and consumer research, providing legal and policy analysis and advocacy on First Amendment, intellectual property and technology/e-commerce issues, managing a global anti-piracy program, owning and operating E3, and representing video game industry interests in federal and state government relations. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com.  

SOURCE Entertainment Software Association