We just came back from the smashing success that was the second annual PlayStation Blog E3 meet-up. Over 300 eager individuals ventured down to Mama’s Hot Tamales to talk games, eat delicious food, and play Slant Six’s SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3, which we’ll have a full hands-on preview of shortly. Now, though, let’s focus on the event.
The crowded venue radiated a positive atmosphere; everyone was there to have a good time. As a surprise, the PlayStation Blog’s Jeff Rubenstein announced to that everyone who attended the meet-up would receive a pass to attend E3 09, typically an industry-only event. Thunderous applause and boisterous cheering followed.
PSPs running a pre-alpha demo of SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 were spread out throughout one room, giving gamers a chance to test out a mission from the game. The gamer (or pair of gamers) with the best ranking at the end of the level would walk home with some sweet prizes. PSU Co-founder Seb Hayes and I teamed up via Ad Hoc co-op and gave it our best shot, but our scores were decimated by, well, just about everyone else’s. Toward the end of the night, a winner was announced and given a Daxter PSP-3000 bundle — not too shabby for a free tournament at a public event.
Over the course of the night, we chatted with two gregarious staff members of the brand new European PlayStation Blog, several producers from SCEA, and fan-favorites from the U.S. PlayStation Blog, Chris Morell and Jeff Rubenstein. We also met a bevy of other journalists, including Joystiq’s Andrew Yoon, Gerard “HipHopGamer” Williams, a reporter from PS3 Attitude (whose name has apparently slipped my mind; please contact me if you’re reading this), and several more.
The best part, though, was meeting the fans. Enthusiastic guys like Trevor and Josh Hughes, José (PSU handle ‘x-terna’), and many others voiced their support for PSU, which really meant a lot to us. Getting positive feedback in the comments section is great, but physically meeting people who truly love your work is geniunely touching. To everyone who was there to voice their support, and to everyone who wished they could be, we’d like to thank you for coming to the site.
Now it’s time for what you’ve all been waiting for: pictures!
Anxious gamers awaiting entrance to the meet-up.
Another shot of the line.
An elated Jeff Rubenstein, with Chris Morell behind him.
Jeff addressing the entranced crowd.
PSPs running SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3.
A custom blue and white PSP.
The reduced crowd at the end of the event.
Me, Chris Morell, and Seb Hayes.