E3 open to the public for the first time ever this year

E3 is insane, it’s just mental. The noise, the crowds, the terrible food, it’s certainly an experience.

This year E3 will be open the public for the first time and 15,000 tickets are set to go on sale next Monday according to Gamespot. Tickets will be priced at a hefty $150 for early bookers starting on Monday and will then ramp up to a whopping $250.

Gamescom has proved that a large consumer event works when it’s well planned out and public access to E3 is long overdue. Last year the ESA experimented with a small public event outside of the main convention hall but it was severely lacking. Following last year’s event, ESA senior VP of communications Rich Taylor added:

“The feedback we heard was clear–they wanted to play the games inside the convention center. In addition, exhibitors inside the convention center wanted to have access to the fans. So this year we’re bringing the two together.”

Having attended 10 E3 events myself over the years, I can safely say it’s quite an experience. It’s not an event I ever want to do again, but gamers should at least try and attend once to enjoy the madness.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 13 February 13 at 12PM EST and this year’s event runs between June 13-15.