After speaking to a number of analysts and experts, TheStreet.com writer Priya Ganapati has predicted that this year's E3 show will be "a smaller, quieter affair that is struggling to keep retail distributors, media and investors interested."

With many key companies such as Activision Blizzard and LucasArts deciding not to attend, the effect of announcements made at this year's E3 will mean more than peaking interest in each developer's respective products - response to announcements will also be used to gauge further interest in the show itself.

IGN.com president of games content Tal Blevins says that "Companies will see how much coverage they get out of the show and how much value they are getting out of the conference." Ladenburg Thalman portfolio manager Dan Ahrens agrees, saying that this year's show is only significant due to Sony and Microsoft claiming "something big" for their respective conferences. "That's important because we know what happens with the PlayStation and Xbox 360 can drive what happens to the independent publishers' games," Ahrens says.