The Richter Scale^®

Los Angeles doesn’t quite seem the same when it’s overcast and dark, and the sun is nowhere to be seen. One can only hope the weather here this week is not a precursor to the future of the video game industry (photos below).

That said, even though the show floor doesn’t open for another two days, there’s a quiet sort of energy at the Los Angeles Center, as exhibitors prepare for an onslaught of retailers, media, and anyone else who has managed to wangle their way past the scrutiny of registration desk staff.

Strict warnings indicating the show is a trade only event can be found at every entrance, and show staff I spoke to said they had already seen a fair number of false IDs presented during the media pre-registration process. Even more outrageous is that E3 show staff had found E3 Media Badges for sale on eBay for as much as $500 already. Desperation among the younger set creates a lucrative black market.

Over 400 exhibitors are expected to show their latest wares, which include a vast number of new video game titles for consoles, handhelds, and PCs, including almost a thousand “never before seen” games and products (E3’s words, not mine).