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One of the big problems I
have with the world in general is that people aren't nearly
courteous enough. Nearly everyone seems to look at the world in
terms of, "that's fine but how does that apply to me?" If that's
your view, then you probably don't want to read this. This is an
impromptu interview I conducted with some of the people who dread E3
time every year...the people working the booths that you're
harassing for shirts, trying to trick into giving you press stuff,
and cursing out when things don't go your way. Life's not easy on
the other side of that conversation, and here's what they think of
E3:
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Yumi Saiki |
Yumi Saiki,
Tecmo I caught Yumi before any
of the craziness at their booth had begun for the day. When I ran
into her on Thursday, she was busy shooting Polaroids of people who
were posing with the girls dressed up at the DOA girls.
Years working E3: 5
Worst thing about working E3: It's long, the tear-down and
set-up, and all the standing for hours at a time. Plus, the general
frenzy that occurs when the crowd hits their booth for the girls. |
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????????????? |
He Who Is Only Known
As He Who Must Remain Nameless, Nintendo.
I caught HWIOKAHWMRN while he was doing his thing at the
massive Nintendo kiosk. I'd give more information, but cannot in
fear of revealing his super-secret identity.
Years working E3: 4
Worst thing about working E3: The smell.
After inquiring further he told me a story.
The day before, one fairly large gentleman had picked up one of the
GBA SPs and begun playing with and handed it back to her sopping wet
with sweat. Then just before he had given it back to her...he
sneezed on it. So they had to get an antiseptic sponge and swab the
thing down.
Just imagine...her job's to go up to the next person like him, and
offer the GBA up to the next guy just like him. |
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Fernando Bustamante |
Fernando
Bustamante, Square-Enix Fernando was demoing Drakengard on the side of the of the Square
Enix booth when I caught up with him.
Years working E3: 5
Worst thing about working E3: Fanboys, standing up all day.
Best thing about E3: Seeing the new games, and the booth babes.
Best games he's seen: Mythica, FFX-2 |
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Scott McDonald |
"Regnir", aka Scott
McDonald
Scott was dressed in full garb at the NCSoft booth and fortunately
did not have to behead anyone...at the time I had talked to him. I'm
unsure about anything after that. Scott's voice sounded familiar,
and that's because he's done the voice work for Blood Wake, the
Matrix Reloaded Game, Red Faction II, and had guest appearances on
CSI, Crossing Jordan, and Star Trek.
Years working E3: 1
Worst thing about working E3: Standing all day.
Best thing: Seeing the new games. Scott was very impressed
with the new technology and how good games were looking nowadays,
especially since he isn't really a gamer. |
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Jesse Reynolds |
Jesse Reynolds, Troika
Jesse was showing off his new game, Vampire: Bloodline. They had an
interesting backdrop for the game, a huge sign that filled with
"blood" and then drained itself constantly.
Years working E3: 2
Worst thing about working E3: Not getting to see anything at
the show.
Best thing about E3: The energy, and the real-time feedback
on the game that they could get from people playing the game. |
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Thomas Blue |
Thomas Blue, Mutable
Realms
Thomas and his comrades were struggling with a badge swipe
machine/printer that wasn't cooperating. Nevertheless, he handed us
a mug and t-shirt for his game, Wish (which made our Best Swag list)
and then answered some questions.
Years working E3: 1
Worst thing about working the show: The madness, losing his
voice, standing around all day. |
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Sandra Rosales |
Sandra Rosales
Sandra was buried in Kentia Hall, sitting at a desk and handing out
stuff.
Years working E3: 1
Worst thing about working the show: Didn't really have a
"worst".
Best thing about E3: All the free stuff. |
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Tayisa Nemolovska |
Tayisa Nemolovska
Tayisa was busing leading the
Cossacks across the wastelands that was Kentia Hall. She took a
break from all the slaughtering and answered our questions.
Years working E3: 1
Worst thing about working E3: Talking all day long.
Best thing about working E3: Having all these people come up her and
take pictures of/with her, and making new contacts. |
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I got a lot of different answers than I was expecting in addition to
the ones I knew I would get from my years of working the show. The
responses to "Best Thing at E3" questions differed pretty wildly
from when I was asking questions in the Main Halls and when I asked
questions in Kentia Hall.
However, the guys working the show had the basic same negative
things to say about the show. While the general attendee gets to
walk around, find a nice corner to rest their aching legs, and grab
free goodies, the people working the show have a much different
story to tell. When I worked the show, I worked 2 1/2 of the 3 days
and had to hear about the best game of show second or third hand
through magazines or other people talking to people who didn't have
to work the show.
Obviously the views expressed by the people here don't necessarily
reflect the views of their company. Their respective companies are
thrilled to be getting the hype and exposure out of E3.
But, next time you're giving a hard time to someone who doesn't want
to throw you a shirt, or give you the press information you
obviously aren't qualified to get, stop and think about how many
people have probably just tried the same thing. Give up and walk
away. These people dread the coming of E3 every year, and you giving
them a hard time doesn't make it any easier on them.
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