The 2009 expo will "welcome all qualified computer and video game industry audiences," signaling a return to the pre-2007 format of the show.

In 2007 and 2008, the event responded to industry criticism by greatly reducing its size and going invite-only, only to face even more criticism after the shift.

Despite reports and rumors that the event would open up entirely to the general public to recapture its prior extravagance--even as other conventions around the world do so--there is no mention of such an action in the event's official press release.

"The video game business will be twice as big in 2009 as it was in 2006 when we had the last real E3 Expo--so get ready for some fireworks!" said Ubisoft North America president Laurent Detoc in the press release.