E3 (http://e3insider.com/)  has been called the Superbowl of Geeks, the nerd convention, video game geekfest, and more. It was back in fine form last week at the LA Convention Center, after 2 years of being relegated as a press-only, small, lackluster event. You wouldn’t have known the country is in a recession by the looks of this over-the-top flashy convention. Some booths were several hundred thousand dollar constructions; video screens were bigger than my house and there was more bling than Las Vegas.  There were roving cute cuddly characters, hardcore gamers, industry execs, vendors, Guitar Hero afficionados, and all sorts of random people taking in the total senory overload that was E3.

More photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustinwdesign/

One of the biggest attractions was Sony’s God of War 3. (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3157966) Gamers waited patiently in line for the opportunity to try out the beta version of this game, due out in March 2010. It is reported be the last in the trilogy. The 20 or so players catapulted thru explosive and fantastic visuals, excited to share this normally solitary experience in the presence of others.

Also, for the older folks, Super Mario Brothers wii satisfied the nostalgic. We saw a few different cooking games; but wondered why someone would prefer these awkward adaptations to the real thing. Also spotted: chubby geeks playing a cheerleading game. Quite amusing!

All in all, the convention was exhuasting, with sight and sound hitting you over the head at every turn. NOt to be missed!

http://www.e3.net/