Ahh, the E3s of old... I never attended but I always gawked at the photos on the various gaming sites showing the wide spaces filled with gamers, the extravagant and extraordinary booths, the lovely ladies who presented the games of the upcoming fall and winter. It was somehow sad to see the downsized 2008 edition of E3, which a lot of industry players characterized as empty.

Now, the organizers, the Entertainment Software Association, are saying that, in 2009, the trade show will be again opened up to the public and have even announced a list of the big companies that have confirmed their intention to attend.

This year, the convention will take place between June 2 and June 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where it has always felt at home. From now on, the gaming companies interested can register, while media, industry analysts and other visitors can apply to attend.

Activision Blizzard, the proverbial prodigal child, who did not attend the show in 2008 and who also withdrew from the ESA, is set to have a booth at E3 2009, as will other big publishers, like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, who criticized the way the event was handled last year.

ESA says that it supports a bigger participation from videogaming companies, encouraging the following to attend: non-ESA members; companies involved in developing games for consoles and the PC; online and mobile publishing and developing firms, videogame hardware companies and peripheral manufacturers.

Michael Gallagher, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Entertainment Software Association, stated that “The 2009 E3 Expo will be the preeminent North American computer and video game event. With robust exhibitor sales, high attendee interest, and strong commitments from multiple industry sectors, we are going to ensure the full excitement and energy of this industry is on display.”