Los Angeles’ E3 Bringing Adult Content

LOS ANGELES – Playboy playmates will be on hand for the opening Wednesday of the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as E3, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Arush Entertainment, which is rolling out a beta version of “Playboy: The Mansion” with co-publisher Groove Games, will provide the playmates. But the expo isn’t all about sex; it’s about the video- and computer- gaming industry.

E3 organizers told XBiz they expect 400 exhibiting companies representing 70 countries at this year's show, the 10th annual.

Nearly 1,000 game and related products are expected to be seen for the first time, as reporters, buyers, industry analysts and venture capitalists come out to see from an insider's look at what lies ahead in the gaming world.

The event, with about 400 manufacturer booths, also will bring a lot of glitz along the way because gaming has become big business.

Industry tracking company NPD Group says video game retail sales in the United States – including software, hardware and accessories – totaled $11.2 billion last year.

And the correlation between those interested in adult content and computer gaming gets narrower.

Chicago-based Playboy Enterprises said last month that its readers spent over $300 million on video games over the last year with more than 3.1 million readers owning a video game system.

Playboy’s “Mansion” game is 3-D, and is touted as a virtual Playboy experience, complete with lavish parties and buxom women. The product will be available in Xbox and PlayStation 2 formats.

E3 serves as a litmus test for products and buyers from major retailers that use the event to shape their game plan for the holiday season, when most sales occur.

"It's pretty vital, because you get a pulse on the industry and you see what other people are doing," said Denis Dyack, president of Silicon Knights, a Canadian developer.

Besides news conferences and other pitches, there will be entertainment.

One of the founding members of Nine Inch Nails will be performing, and martial arts pros will show up.

Arush, which publishes Playboy’s new software, plans to hype its “Fear Factor” game by offering a prize to anyone willing or able to pull a poker chip from a tank filled with hissing Madagascar cockroaches.

The convention, open to the trade only, runs through Friday. More information can be had at www.e3insider.com.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Pineapple Support Appoints Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has appointed veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Show More