While everyone says the SDCC is loud and crazy, the gold standard for insanely multi-media booth babe saturated industry freak shows has always been E3, the video game industry’s yearly confab. Indeed, many of the loudest, craziest booths at SDCC were imports from E3, which is held every year in Los Angeles.

But now it seems that Comic-Con will have the playing field almost to itself, as a kinder, gentler E3, long rumored, has been officially announced

To better address the needs of today’s global computer and video game industry, the 2007 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo) is evolving into a more intimate event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today.

“The world of interactive entertainment has changed since E3Expo was created 12 years ago. At that time we were focused on establishing the industry and securing orders for the holiday season,â€? said Douglas Lowenstein, President of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo. “Over the years, it has become clear that we need a more intimate program, including higher quality, more personal dialogue with the worldwide media, developers, retailers and other key industry audiences.â€?