E3 2009 Photostream

As Dickens famously, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The 2009 Electronic Entertainments Expo (or E3) was a tale of two conventions- the conspicuous gathering at the Los Angeles Convention Center during daylight, and the clandestine one at bars throughout the city after dusk.

Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony’s Press conferences were equally schizophrenic; offering a hip parade of sequels to a hardcore audience, and new input methods for casual player intimidated by controllers.  Even individual conferences displayed this uneasy dichotomy. An hour after unveiling the $120 Tony Hawk Ride skateboard package, Microsoft showed a skating game that was controlled using body motion, rendering the Hawk’s contraption obsolete. Yes, it was a strange and astonishing show.