Tag Archives: swine flu

The PAX twitter feed‘s confirmed that swine flu cases were present at the show.

A list of 15 flights – both from Seattle and ongoing connections – that contained attendees carrying the illness is now up on the Penny Arcade homepage.

Kotaku has a quote on the outbreak from Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade:

“This is the real thing. If you get this number of people together in this close a proximity it is the perfect storm for these kind of wild fire virus spreads. We just want to make sure everyone is informed.”

Thanks, GP.

Square Enix is the latest Japanese publisher to pull back on its E3 attendance thanks to swine flu fears, telling GI it’s now only going to send a skeleton crew from Japan.

“A limited number of executives/employees from Square Enix’s headquarters in Japan will be attending E3 this year, given the recent worldwide spread of H1N1 flu,” said the company in a statement.

Capcom and Koei are also cowering in Japan thanks to the recent pig disease worry.

What’s wrong with you people? Bloody rubbish.

Koei has followed Capcom in backing away from travelling to E3 thanks to fear of swine flu infection.

“With regards to E3, due to the current nature of and concern over the Influenza A (H1N1), KOEI has reconsidered international travel,” the company told Kotaku.

“As a result, there will be a limited number of staff from the company’s Yokohama-based headquarters attending this year’s show. However members from our Toronto studio, KOEI Canada, will be at E3 to speak about a new title that will be publicly unveiled at the show.”

Capcom said yesterday that it wouldn’t show Dead Rising 2 at the event for fear of the disease.

Man-up, Japan. It’s only a bloody cold.

Capcom says that Dead Rising 2 will not be shown at E3 this year because of swine flu concerns.

According to a report from OXM, no Dead Rising 2 material will even be present at the show.

Bummer really. We were looking forward to this.

More through here.

The swine flu fear that kept Keiji Inafune away from Nordic Game this week may also affect the firm’s showing at E3, according to this Develop report.

“I can’t tell you right now who from Capcom Japan is attending E3,” said a rep. “A decision on who from Japan is coming will be made nearer the time.”

It was confirmed yesterday that the developer was to stay in Japan this week through fears he may catch pig fever… and die.

Not really. Cross your fingers for LA.

E3 organizers say the show must go on, despite the State of Emergency issued by ‘governator’ Arnold Schwarzenegger over swine flu concerns.

“The 2009 E3 Expo is progressing as planned,” an ESA spokesperson told MCV. “Public health officials are taking all appropriate steps and we continue to follow their direction on all measures.

“We look forward to a great event, and to seeing you in Los Angeles in June.”

E3 takes place June 2 to 4 in Los Angeles.