Second Flagship Signs on for E for All

Entertainment for All Expo now has a second flagship exhibitor.

Electronic Arts recently signed with show producer IDG World Expo to be an exhibitor at the consumer video game event Oct. 18–21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It was the first announcement of a flagship exhibitor since Nintendo signed on in March.

Pattie Renouard, spokeswoman for E for All, said the announcement was one that other potential exhibitors wanted to see. More companies will announce their participation in E for All in the coming weeks, she added.

EA, a major independent software developer and publisher, has not said what titles it will showcase at the fall event. The company publishes the popular EA Sports line, including Madden Football and NBA Live, and has the rights to games based on The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

E³/Electronic Entertainment Expo, the predecessor to E for All, was known for big hardware and software announcements. Renouard said she hasn't heard of anything specific being unveiled at E for All, but added that it was likely.

"Electronic Arts' participation reflects the essence of E for All, providing consumers with unprecedented access to the leading video game companies in the business," said Mary Dolaher, CEO of IDG World Expo. "We're thrilled to have EA's involvement in this inaugural event and to be able to bring their products to our attendees."

Renouard said E for All would have a very different feel than E³, which was also held in the LACC until it was downsized to this year's appointment-only version, E³ Media & Business Summit, in Santa Monica, Calif., in July.

At E for All, game stages will be set up at both ends of the showfloor for attendees to compete live against each other, Renouard said. The show also will have a gaming lounge and exhibitors selling gaming-related items such as chairs and controllers.

"I think we're going to have a great show," she added. "We have some amazing features, and I think it's going to be really fun"