[Industry news] Explore the E3 of Years Past Like Never Before in Brand New Collections From the Video Game History Foundation

This is a press release posted in addition to our usual editorial content.

As part of its continually growing physical library and digital archive, the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) is excited to announce it is adding a plethora of materials from the Electronics Entertainment Expo (commonly referred to as “E3”), the larger-than-life tradeshow that came to dominate games media and heavily influence the industry itself for over 20 years. The show was synonymous with the annual gathering of the games industry where the biggest announcements were made, high production booths and top talent congregated; and inspired the current era of showcases. The VGHF is proud to provide these materials exclusively and for free via the Digital Archive for anyone researching the history of E3. For a full breakdown of the new collection’s highlights, read the VGHF blog or watch the video below.

Watch the VGHF team highlight their new E3 collection on YouTube.

Key highlights of the E3 collection include:

• One of the largest single collections of E3 ephemera: The Interactive Digital Software Association (the industry trade organization prior to Entertainment Software Association) founding member Carolyn Rauch, who oversaw E3 planning and execution for most of the event’s lifespan, has provided more than 1,000 pages of materials like flyers, brochures, press kits, event photographs, panel transcripts, industry reports and materials meant originally for exhibitors or advertisers. The collection also includes materials from the 2007-2008 E3 Media & Business Summit, the short-lived invite-only gathering that rarely gets discussed in gaming history.
• Video footage of early E3 years: Ever wanted to see the only known footage of the surprise launch of the Sega Saturn, or of PlayStation’s mic drop price announcement for the original PlayStation? Developer Anthony Parisi has donated the copyright for his collection of videos, containing hours of footage from the first four years.
• Direct Capture and B-roll of pre-release games: Indulge in seeing early footage of Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, Crash Bandicoot Warped and more; in addition to Rareware’s infamously unreleased Conker’s Quest, all at the highest quality ever to been seen.
• Official Guides and Citizen Journalism: Dig through a newly complete collection of E3 directory books listing every booth, company and presentation. Check out 1,500 pages of the E3 Show Daily, the official magazine – and maybe hear a little about the after-hours events you’d never see in traditional gaming press. Round it out with video footage from defunct media publishing groups exploring corners of the show others may never have visited, ie. interview with legendary developer Jeff Minter on Defender 2000.

Moreover, the VGHF team sat down with two of the founding members of the Interactive Digital Software Association, Doug Lowenstein and E3 showrunner Carolyn Rauch, to discuss the founding of E3, the many challenges and the show’s evolution in the latest episode of The Video Game History Hour podcast. The VGHF blog post also features an extensive comment from long-time event director of E3, Mary Dolaher, who touches on everything from celebrity chaos to Make-a-Wish partnerships.

The new E3 collection is another step in the VGHF’s ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating the history of video games, making it possible for anyone – from academics to average enthusiasts – to research and tell the story of E3 and the industry beyond. Previous collections include the Game Developers Conference (GDC) – Proceedings Books and Tapes. Additional highlights will be featured in the near future on the VGHF blog and YouTube.

If you’d like to support the Video Game History Foundation in its mission, you can donate here or visit the official site for more information.