You wouldn’t think a writer for Playboy would be the guy calling for decorum and restraint in a trade show, but here were are.

The old E3 was a three-day migraine with a side order of Asperger’s Syndrome, which turns out is neither pretty nor pleasant. Plus, some of us were trying to get work done.

That loud music can really mess with you after Sony’s 10:30 a.m. open bar.

The show, in fact, is the games. Remember them? As it turns out, the games this year are really goddamn good.

So, how were the games from industry leaders Activision Blizzard, id Software and Lucasarts? Oh right, they didn’t bother showing up.

Having attended one of the old E3s, he’s right that most of the lines were too long and some of the stuff was too dumb. (I got a hands-on session with Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, so I left happy.) I don’t think anyone thinks the old E3 was becoming untenable or already so. But why not drop the frat stuff, keep the geek stuff and put on a show?

You could have The Minibosses up on stage doing video game music with live instruments and Jonathan Coulton doing the Portal song. There could be huge game tournaments alongside the exhibitor booths. Legendary game designers like Ken Levine could do the keynote!

Oh wait, I’m exactly describing the Penny Arcade Expo. And look, they have Activision Blizzard not only attending, but as an official sponsor.

Anyway the Playboy article is here. It’s not quite safe for work due to racy Playboy banner ads, unfortunately. It’s actually one of the better show reports, despite my griping.

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