E3 set for July 08

UK publishers should get ready to pack their bags for a summer excursion: E3 is returning to the Los Angeles Convention Centre from Tuesday, July 15-17th next year.

That’s according to organiser the Entertainment Software Association, which has confirmed the date and location of the US expo.

The body also said that there will not be a dedicated trade area – suggesting that the much-loathed Barker Hangar, which hosted game demonstrations at this year’s event in Santa Monica, has been dumped.

CEO of the ESA Michael Gallagher told

GameDaily

in a statement:

"The U.S. is the world’s number one video game market and the E3 Media & Business Summit is its premier video game conference. The 2008 Summit will provide a professional and efficient environment for suite-based meetings with media, and other industry leaders.

We look forward to welcoming the media and top industry executives to a centralized, business focused and personalized experience. Our program of high-level meetings, networking and personal dialogue, and industry-shaping panel discussions will capture the explosive growth we have seen in 2007 and lay the foundation for the 2008 video game marketplace."