I am long out of the gaming industry, but E3 still retains some of its potency for me. I lived in Los Angeles for many years and attended the event a few times. I was wholly unprepared for the spectacle the first time - the frontal assault of color and sound is overwhelming. I prefer to digest the media in a steady drip from the comfort (and relative silence) of my own home, but every year I get a pang of desire to be in the middle of it all once again.
I don't play many games any more but I will absolutely be firing up the console for this:
If you are unfamiliar with the original, educate yourselves.