Although the Software Entertainment Association (ESA) has come under a lot of fire lately from gamers and devs alike over this year's E3, a representative has stated that they will continue on to hold the event next year.

The representative gave no indication of what they had in store for the event come 2009, but he did hint at "potential changes" (and they had better be big changes):

As we do every year, we're beginning the process of surveying exhibitors and attendees to determine potential changes to the summit. Once this is completed and shared with the ESA's Board of Directors, we will make an announcement about the specifics of the 2009 E3 Media & Business Summit, which will occur.

This is no small thing for the gaming community. The event, which was once central to promoting games and unveiling new ones, has become a shell of a thing ever since it was downsized for its 2007 event. Somehow it feels like it's only running on the fumes left behind by the success of its previous years.

If the ESA chooses to continue with E3 next year, there should be some big changes or else we might see Michael Pachter's prediction come to pass and see the event go extinct.

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