E3 back in business in 2009
We were already saying it unofficially, but today both Microsoft and Sony have praised this year's E3 showing in LA; one of the best in years and widely regarded as a major success.
"It's great to see it back," offered Shane Kim from Microsoft, who are credited as the 'winners' of this year's event in some quarters. "We're an entertainment business and we should act and talk like an entertainment business.
"We shouldn't go hide in a corner. I've been doing E3 for some time and I'm really excited to see all the excitement and energy and noise and all the people come back, because thats what we should represent.
"I feel very fortunate that we got to launch Project Natal this year, because in essence this is the rebirth of E3 and Natal is the perfect way to kick that off."
Sony, who also put in a strong showing, were also feeling pleased with how things panned out, according to European CEO Andrew House: "I think you get a singular opportunity to have the press and everybody else focus on our industry for a week in LA - one of the entertainment capitals of the world.
"That's pretty priceless. As soon as you took emphasis away from that we lost an opportunity to reach the media and by extension broaden our appeal as an industry as a whole, so I'm very glad its back.
"It's absolutely worth the collective investment we put into it."
Firms such as Sega and Take-Two have also expressed their delight at the expo's 2009 rebirth.