E3 is usually held in the spring of each year in Los Angeles. Many video game developers show off their upcoming games and game-related hardware at the event. The independent "Game Critics Awards" have been given to "Best of E3" games in various categories since 1998.
The first E3 was founded by the Interactive Digital Software Association (now the Entertainment Software Association) in 1995. Previously, most game developers went to other trade shows to display new products, including the Consumer Electronic Show.
The Game Developers Conference is another yearly milestone for developers held in the spring each year in southern California, but it focuses on talks and discussions about the development of games. Other shows exist for the gaming industry (not just video games), including Origins and Gen Con.
E3 is also the name of one of the communications channels defined in the European version of the PDH communications standard. It is the European equivalent of the American DS3.External links