I remember when E3 was one of the most exciting moments of the year for me. I didn't even realize until a few days ago that it was next week.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
It was huge back when the web was in its infancy. Now we know everything before it happens and get HD streaming videos/playable demos at home.
I went to the show back in '97 and '98 when it was here in Atlanta. That was great...walk around a play some games n' ogle booth babes for a couple of hours, then go home. Was convinced to go to the '99 and 2000 shows in L.A., but that's when I started getting bored. '99 was fine since we basically arrived there and went right back home after one day, but in 2000 we went for all three days, and it was so fucking boring. I was still a little too young and not prepared to try going elsewhere on my own, and all my friends did was stay at the show all day, then sit in the hotel room at night.

I quit going after that.