From the Editor's Desk

For those who have been following Family Friendly Gaming for years, you know this is the third time I have gone to E3. Family Friendly Gaming has covered this event since we started, but the first couple of years from afar. There is a certain mystic about E3. I normally describe it as the Super Bowl of video games. I love going to E3, and realize this year there is major room for improvement. In the year of our Lord 2010 I did a lot of things right, and applied lessons learned from the past. I also learned a few new things, and will apply those in future years.

THE GOOD

Kinect, and Nintendo 3DS come to mind. These two took away the show in my opinion. Kinect leapfrogs past the Wii Motion controller, and is so much more fun to play. I can not forget Playstation Move, but Kinect really connected. Lots of great family friendly titles this year, as more companies are embracing it. There is a trend towards children exercise games and that is great. The video game industry has grown up, and acknowledges families are the number one audience to target. It was great to meet some old friends, and make some new ones. It is always nice to put a face to the names we email all year long. I got really good at card swapping this year.

THE BAD

The class system at E3 is getting worse. Camera crews think they rule the show, and have the highest level of arrogance. Behind them are some of the people at the major gaming media outlets. These people can be rude, impatient, and very hateful. Behind that are mid ranged sites like Family Friendly Gaming, and at the bottom of the heap is bloggers. You can have someone helping you when someone deemed more important is given priority. I am not one to fuss about it. I do notice it, and make sure I treat everyone the same way. I really wish more people would take that attitude though.

THE UGLY

I really need a shirt that says: "I HATE LA." Before you go off on me about not wanting to hate anyone let me explain. I missed three events on the 14th because I was lost in LA. It is too easy to get turned around, and the impatient honking drivers do not help things. There is also nowhere to park to check maps – which may or may not be accurate. Family Friendly Gaming could have gotten a new Xbox 360 if I had not been driving around trying to find Microsoft's press conference site. The ESA needs to move E3 to an easier city. I have heard Las Vegas is better. Booth babes were in full force this year, and they deteriorate the progress the video game industry has made over the years. Lord willing it will return to the games, swag, and less eye candy.

Let me tell you a little insider information on E3. There is one constant every single year – my feet hurt. Something about the Los Angeles Convention Center has me hurting no matter how I prepare or what shoes I bring. I saw a lot of exhausted people covering E3 2010. I also saw a lot of tired exhibitors. Congratulations to everyone for a fantastic show. I can not wait for next year.