A major feature of this year's show was a design that brought the show more out into the audience. Three satellite stages with scenic LED backing screens were place out onto the main floor of the Galen Arena. Using the whole floor of the arena brought the presenters and the game demos closer to the audience and created a more intimate look on camera.
This year's set featured an ultra aspect ratio screen with track masking elements to close it down when needed. This created many technical challenges. We chose to solve them by attached integral lighting to the scenic elements so their lighting quality traveled with them as they moved. It also allowed the programming of the show to be agnostic from the position of the scenic walls. If the creative team chose to change the placement of a tracking cue it did not requite a refocus on our part
Erin Hearne Williams, Zed's Creative Director for the show also wanted to immerse the audience more into the show and have that be reflected on the broadcast. She added LED bracelets from Pixmob that could be controlled as part of our lighting system. This opened up a whole new world of visual effect that turned the audience into surrounding backdrop for so many of the camera shots seen at home.
Evening Showcase
This year both Manny and Brian also designed the Xbox Showcase. The location is always an iconic downtown venue. This year was no exception and the event took place at the recently renovated Ace Theater. Its rich architecture, painted in the brand colors of Xbox become a photogenic backdrop for debut of game play from so many of the new titles coming out this year.
