My E3 experience this year was much different than the years before with GameSpot, but it wasn't too far from my pre-GameSpot days as a journalist for 4 network gaming sites. As you might recall, my history with E3 pre-dates my days working at GameSpot. But, if I focus on what I've done to help out with GameSpot for E3 alone, I'd say I'm a Jill of all trade with titles like liaison, journalism, host, co-host, producer, producer's assistant, and tournament coordinator.
- In 2005, nearly a month prior to working at GameSpot, a GS staff member randomly contacted me asking if knew of any UT2k4 female pro players. I normally received interesting requests for dealing with a lady gamer fansite that focused on Strategy and Action titles, but never from the big shots at GameSpot, I thought to myself back in the day. Not long after his email, I introduced him to a female gamer that was skilled at the game. The GS staff member decided to have her and her professional UT2k4 boyfriend fly out from New Zealand to attend E3 that year to be a type of strongman. People won t-shirts if they beat the pro-player, but that year I attended the event while working as a contractor for Madcatz.
- In 2006, I ran the Baseball game tournament at our booth We already had Tournament TV happening by then, which you might recall me being the admin for the tournaments that lead up to the live show. I was considered to run this tournament at the event. Plus, I ran tournaments at Quakecon 3 years in a row prior to this date, so I knew the process quite well, although the Baseball crowd is much different than shooter fanatics.
- In 2007, the video team wanted me to help them with asking questions, so that was the first year where people really started making fun of me for not being able to pronounce people's last names and foreign countries. But, many of you loved my hat on the last day, so much, that you made GameSpot Sync have hat Friday. To wish you all a great weekend on the last day of the week.
- In 2008 I helped again with the stage show to share your questions on the stage show. That was the year I was pestered by The Miz. Some of you were very sweet on yelling in the chatroom for him to leave me alone. :) I try to crush others with kindness, and well, he was a guest on the show so there's no way I was going to bully him back!
- In 2009 and 2010, I started to help with the stage show check-ins with the guests. I really liked being behind scenes because well, I didn't have to practice countries or last names. I just asked about the game and ran them to get de-shined, for the most part. Synthia did the stage show assistant role this year, and she seemed to enjoy herself, even if that meant she didnt have time to walk away the booth.
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So, now we're down to E3 2011. While I was a journalist prior to working at Gamespot, I haven't done rushed script writing before. It was quite the challenge having to know EVERYTHING that there is needed to figure out what would be on the show that day. Homer's my boss for Sync, and you might recall he was doing floor check-ins so it was impossible for him to help with Sync as much as he would have liked. I had to determine what was hot, and what didnt need to be mentioned. Double checking my stories on Sync with staff was also important as they were the ones out the field writing or video recording content. You know, when you try to write something in your own words, you don't realize that you might be changing the actual meaning. So, I have some amazing people I work with, if you haven't been able to tell already, who were always so willing to help even when they were under pressure, trying to get you the latest on the games you're anticipating. A big thanks to them, once again, for all of their hard work, and sleepless nights to make it as wonderful as it is every year.
As for the games I'm digging, I've made a music video with the games I can't wait to play here soon, as in.. when they are released.
Also, if you didnt get a moment to catch up on the GameSpot Sync episodes, here's the rundown pre-E3 to the wrap-up.
June 2 Episode: It's the week prior to E3, The lovely Jane Douglas was at the San Francisco office, and I lock her up in a cube. Inspired by Superman, but of course.
June 3 Episode: Jane gets her revenge..... tries to take over my show, and gets all UK gangsta!
June 6 Episode: There was no way I'd let you all go without your daily Sync, so, Monday, the day when press conferences happened, I watched them to give you highlights.
June 7 Episode: The mob tried to step on my toes when the E3 doors opened, but thanks to Wernher and Homer's barade to keep me safe, I made it through. LOL
June 8 and June 9 Episodes:Was quite fun to contionue the adventure, trying to figure out what you'd all need to know in under 3 minutes, was tough. There was SOOOOO many cool things happening. Maxwell was funny on the last day because he wanted to make sure I mentioned XCom. I told him XCOM!!! I've played those games years ago, are you serious? He was pretty certain that it was one of the top underdogs of the show. After checking the trailer, it looks quite interesting.
June 10 episode didnt happen because we were traveling on Friday morning. And, well, 4 staff members got stranded at LAX airport when our flight cancel;led. After 2 standby flights we went to the Burbank airport to try to fly out there, and well, it was a mess really.
June 13 Episode: This was a super fun thing to do every night, but on Thursday night we had to tear the booth down so we didnt get a chance to do it. Homer wanted to have some kind of daily check-ins, and well, we were probably tired in this episodes, but I'm sure you don't mind the real factor of what E3 does to us when we're picking every portion of our brain to get the stories out to you.