E3 is virtually useless for retail

Wedbush Morgan’s Michael Pachter has said that this year’s E3 is ‘virtually useless’ for the retail and investor sectors it has previously served so well.

Speaking to The Street.com, Pachter said:

"The conference used to offer retail, media and investors an early look at games and an opportunity to speak with company managements," says Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan. Now the games have long since been announced and the event is virtually useless for retail and for investors."

However, media representatives said that the show was still relevant for the games sector – but ruminated on whether it would exist next year.

Vice president of games content for IGN.com Tal Blevins said: "This year will be a big test to see if there will even be another E3 or who will participate next year," he said. "Companies will see how much coverage they get out of the show and how much value they are getting out of the conference."

E3 returns to the LA Convention Centre next Monday, July 14th to Thursday, July 17th.