So. What does the final TGS attendance tally read? Why... it's over nine thousaaaand!!! Oh, hell yeah, it's way over nine thousand indeed. CESA, the guys who organized the event, released the final number of attendees for this year's Tokyo Game Show. Compared to last year, TGS 2008 has gotten about a thousand more attendees, thus setting a new record for highest turnout in TGS history.

IDG Entertainment is sending word that instead of August, this year's E for All Expo has been moved to October. This news should serve as a relief for those worried the the event may conflict with PAX's own schedule for 2008.

Details are in the full article. Just click the "read more" link below.

EA Mythic appeared at the main stage of this year's E for All shindig over in Los Angeles, and the video game developer was interviewed regarding its upcoming massively multiplayer online (MMO) effort Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. EA's Josh Drescher was able to give a little idea of what's to come, as well as some of their expectations when Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning finally arrives. Play the video and know exactly what they think.

As you've probably heard, EA Mythic has some pretty high hopes for its baby. Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning has created a significant amount of buzz, especially to fans of the Warhammer Fantasy fame. Whether it does justice to the Warhammer franchise or not remains to be seen, but from the trailers and the details that we've seen so far, it's not hard to imagine a major hit.

One of the main drawing points of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is its Realm versus Realm approach to combat where there are armies and careers to choose from to best suit playing styles. Extensive polishing and balancing is said to be going on to ensure quality of play, and we're hoping that EA Mythic's work lives up to the big expectations it has created among gamers. We'll update you for more, so keep it here.

The winners have been selected for this year's Into the Pixel showcase from the E for All Expo. Sixteen video game inspired art have been selected and are now being shown in Los Angeles.

The art, like video games, doesn't only focus on the dark and the sombre but also on the fanciful and the strange. This year's winners of Into the Pixel include art from the barren landscapes of Lair to the colorful playfulness of Viva Piñata.

The winning pieces span games from a varied set of platforms and genres. MMORPGs are also represented with a work inspired by EVE Online. There's even one inspired by Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii, DS). Check out more images behind the Full Article link below and see if you can name the game, or if one of your favorites managed to make it.

Word has gone around that Electronic Arts is packing a hefty line-up of games to feature in downtown Los Angeles next week for IDG World Expo's E For All 2007 (EforAll as the organizers say), and its nothing short of a figurative big bang. Tailing behind EforAll's primary exhibitor and the world's superstar publisher is The Simpsons Game (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS) and Rock Band (Xbox 360, PS3). The line-up also includes the following games:

• Warhammer Online (EA Mythic - MMO on PC)
• Smarty Pants (EA LA, Planet Moon Studios - Wii)
• Team Fortress 2 (Valve Software - 360, PC, PS3)
• Medal of Honor Airborne (EA LA - 360, PC, PS3)
• Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (EA Canada - Wii, PSP)
• NFL Tour (EA Tiburon - 360, PS3)

News on whether Crytek's Crysis and EA Black Box's Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars - Kane's Wrath will be featured at the consumer event has yet to surface, so keep your eyes glued to this space for more developments.

Despite hitting some snags in the form of Sega, SCEA, Capcom, and Microsoft backouts, it appears E for All is gaining steam after getting big boosts from dozens of other movers in the gaming industry who have confirmed participation. To prove that E for All is going smoothly as planned, IDG World Expo is now announcing that Future US, Inc. will be publishing the official show magazine for the said event.

This is big news especially for those who are familiar in the ins and outs of attending conventions like this. Why? Event magazines not only provide attendees with a good source of show floor guide, exhibitor and product information, special features and interviews, it's also a great souvenir - it goes right beside event press IDs and pictures with booth babes. Anyway, IDG World Expo CEO Mary Dolaher expressed the same enthusiasm after saying:

We're thrilled to team up with Future to create "E for All Magazine," the event’s official show publication. Given Future’s experience producing publications such as Official Xbox Magazine, PSM: Independent PlayStation Magazine, PC Gamer, Maximum PC and Next Gen, we’re greatly anticipating the creation of a top-notch magazine and commemorative keepsake for this inaugural event.

The magazine will be a 64-page collector's edition in support of the inaugural E for All. Contents will include feature stories, game reviews, product highlights, a full expo schedule, floor plan and exclusive features, interviews with acclaimed game developers, and a user-generated car art from Forza 2. E for All magazine will also carry a commemorative cover to give spice to the said event which will take place October 18-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center - told you it's a keeper.

 

Although Sega, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Capcom, and Microsoft are still a no-go, organizers IDG World Expo confirmed that dozens of game companies are confirmed to attend the E For All (EforAll) convention coming in October. The trade show that focuses more on the consumer is set for the Hollywood limelight starting October 18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Carolyn Rauch, former ESA vice president now in IDG World Expo's camp, said:

We have over 50 exhibitors, including Nintendo, Namco, THQ, Konami, EA and other major companies to be announced shortly. This is a group of companies that sold about half of all the games purchased in the U.S. last year.

Packed with events and programs dedicated to the consumer, E For All is often mistaken as the replacement of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). But for IDG World Expo, it's simply an avenue for consumers to relive their part of the former E3.

Rauch maintained that official announcements of attending companies would be released in the near future. She added:

Gamers should be excited because this event is all about them -- from a terrific line up of the newest games from the industry's leading publishers, to the World Series of Video Games tournament and Video Games Live concert.

 

Are you interested in seeing where all the magic comes from? The root of all your toiling in Azeroth? Well, WSVG (World Series of Video Games, in case you've been living under a rock) is sponsoring a contest to test your guild loyalty and a trip to the Blizzard offices.

Did we get your attention? Good. The contest is called the WSVG Guild Challenge for World of Warcraft guilds. The contest includes both IRL and in-game challenges. Here are the challenges:

• Gurubashi Arena FFA - Put your best guildie to the test, last man (or woman) standing takes all.
• 5v5 Arena - 5v5 action as the name suggests.
• Joust - Inflatable joust pit, a weapon, and you do the rest.
• Sumo Wrestling - Real life sumo wrestling in an inflatable sumo suit.
• Guild vs Guild Tug O War - Bring your biggest guildmate and pull away.

Interested parties can register now for Louisville or Dallas WSVG stops. Players can also compete in the World of Warcraft tourney and go home US$ 30,000 richer. Earn enough points and that will win you a trip to Los Angeles for the E for All WSVG event in October. You also get a private tour of the Blizzard offices and have lunch with some devs. You can register by clicking the via link below. Good luck!

 

Gamasutra received details on IDG Entertainment's E For All (can we get to calling it E4 sooner or later? Saves on the keystrokes) that shows how the post-E3 is shaping up to the legacy of its predecessor. Never did the phrase "Meet the new boss; same as the old boss" ring any more true: heading up E For All for IDG is Mary Dolaher, previously operations head for E3.

And to that, as so far as Gamasutra had received updated info from IDG (as of March 6), E For All shall feature (subject to change):

• Currently, Sony's and Nintendo's booth presences in E For All, while considerable, will actually be a tad or two smaller than their E3 presence, because the main show floor is limited to the LA Convention Center's South Hall (nothing mentioned for Microsoft; we assume that IDG is still receiving details from Redmond about that)
  
• Other booths include Future Publishing, G4, DirecTV, and the World Series of Video Games Tournament.
• Noise caps are being enforced: nothing above 85 decibels, just like in previous E3.
• Also like in previous E3s: "family friendly fare" that prohibits full or partial nudity, "including live models" and "bathing suit bottoms." No booty calls here either.