E3 2017 approached record high attendance
Having opened its doors to the public as well as trade and press, annual video games expo E3 counted 68,400 attendees over 2017's June 13-15 event.
A headcount of 68,400 at the 2017 Electronic Entertainment Expo followed a decision to open the exhibition to members of the public on a ticketed basis.
Video game publishers, industry executives, and press gather at the annual expo as announcements are made, trailers debuted, and release dates as the sector prepares for a busy holiday season.
Console manufacturers PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox were joined by Ubisoft, Bethesda, Electronic Arts in making key presentations which were broadcast live online.
Microsoft's Xbox division detailed an upgraded Xbox One X for November, Sony's PlayStation pressed the value and variety of game experiences available via the PlayStation, and Nintendo supported the new Switch console with "Super Mario Odyssey" previews.
In 2017, some 15,000 tickets had been made available for public purchase, and total gatecounts were up by 18,100 on 2016's tally.
The surge signified a return to the highs of 1998 and 2005 where official counts were announced at 70,000 attendees.
Between 2001 and 2006, 60,000 to 70,000 visitors had been the norm at the yearly video games expo, before a temporary restructuring saw numbers capped at 10,000 in 2007 and then 5,000 in 2008.
Attendance figures had been rising slowly from 41,000 to 52,000 in the seven years since.
Attention turns to Germany's Gamescom in August, where attendances of 345,000 typically dwarf those of E3, and at which games companies have another opportunity to impress fans before launch calendars intensify in September through to November.
