Advertising $$$s is the future.

Oh yes, greed is a major factor; thankfully, with the one "machine" (Personal Console) you get access to both markets without duplicating software production costs over multiple platforms and attain a whole new integrated market (player and user) access-level. You have more potential revenue and lower production costs (it's a win-win, up and down the P/L or Income Statement).

With television networks supporting web-based programming non-stop now, I could also foresee the "TV" and "Monitor" being an integrated element as well of the same system. Heck, if you are reading this website/magazine, you probably already foresee this and its already pretty much taking place right now.

My prediction in 10 years, consoles and PCs will be synonymous (heck, I predict that in 5). In 5 years, XBox 360, PS3 and Wii will on the phase out and will have used up their life cycle ... these companies will be probably making deals with the larger computer manufacturers to survive and integrate into one platform (they already use most of the same components so it stands to reason). Apple and Nintendo are the two standout (read: stranger-than-normal) user-base that will continue to buy on brand name alone.

PC is dead. Consoles are dead. Long-live the Personal Consoles.

So the question is really, what was wrong with the old E3 format? And what are the benefits of the new E3 format?

Short answer: Yes, it's really THAT bad.

Ever since the "convention" turned from about being for the fans and being for the news sites and exclusive groups, it will never be the same.

But perhaps there is a future for Edge somewhere in this turn of E3 events if it was done appropriately...