Last year I lamented the “whining” by seasoned bloggers and journalists that E3 had lost its identity by way of the massive crowds that were a part of its former self.  Last year’s event, while easier to navigate was indeed something like a hotel owner’s convention.

This year, with literally thousands of people paying the 500 dollar cover charge to mix and mingle, the expo is very much alive. Read why over the jump, folks.

Instead of last year’s tiny game floor, we’re faced with literally hundreds of booths and display areas, jammed with so many people that getting from point A to point B is a lot like some sort of top-down platformer. While wading through the seas of occasional body odor is a bit taxing at times, E3 feels much more ALIVE this year than it did in 2008.

The buildings surrounding the Los Angeles Convention Center are draped in giant posters, SWAG is plentiful, and the booth babes are babe-a-licious.

While last year’s intimate event made even the biggest titles far more approachable for smaller gaming outlets like Sarcastic Gamer, this year we really feel like we’re somewhere.

I enjoyed both of the Press Conferences that I attended so far, those being Microsoft and Sony. MS was, as many of you already know from watching it, a very GAME-HEAVY affair, while Sony seemed to stick to their old formula of showing awesome things interspersed with facts and figures that seem far more geared towards their stockholders than the avid gamers in the house.

In the end, its a TOSS-UP as to which company is winning, but overall, I believe the big winner of this new, rejuvenated E3 is writing this blog post. It’s me and you. So many incredible game experiences to be had, there simply isn’t enough time.

Congrats.

You won E3.

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