E3 Coliseum to give players an inside look at highly anticipated games

In years past, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, has been a relatively closed-door affair, limiting attendance to industry folk and the press, but with this year’s event being open to the public, fans now have the opportunity to get an inside look at their most anticipated games. The Entertainment Software Association is going all-in on the concept with the E3 Coliseum, presenting it as a stage for publishers and developers to show off their latest games, interact with fans, and even take questions from both attendees and those watching around the world.

Taking place at The Novo in Los Angeles on June 13 and 14, the E3 Coliseum is “a spectacular main stage that brings video game fans closer to their favorite games and creators,” according to the ESA. Developers will offer behind-the-scenes looks at their latest games and multiple publishers — including Activision, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Sony, and Microsoft, to name a few — will be hosting their own panels so that fans can ask questions about upcoming releases.

The E3 Coliseum will be open to anyone who already has a ticket to E3, but online viewers will also be able to take part via Facebook. The official E3 page will offer an inside look at some of the panels and will also give viewers a chance to submit their own questions.

“We are working around the clock to produce programming that will give fans unprecedented access to the biggest games and news from E3 and celebrate this industry’s importance to entertainment culture,” said producer Geoff Keighley in a press release. Keighley is also responsible for The Game Awards, a yearly show that has been greeted with a positive reception as a replacement to Spike’s original “VGA” ceremonies.

E3 will take place in Los Angeles from Tuesday, June 13 through June 15, though press conferences will begin that Sunday, June 11. Electronic Arts will also be holding its separate “EA Play” event on June 10.