Eurogamer Expo: 'no booth babes' policy for 2013 show

Eurogamer Expo has always operated a policy that discourages booth babes, but after two companies bent the rules at this year's show, Eurogamer is enforcing a tougher policy for 2013.

Over at the Eurogamer forums, managing director Rupert Lohman discussed the decision in a statement, "We’ve always had an informal guideline regarding booth babes: we don’t think they are right for the Expo. When we talk to publishers and exhibitors, we discourage them from bringing booth babes – and encourage them to bring developers."

"Of course, exhibitors need to bring staff to the show, but they should be interesting, cool and exciting (Master Chief was /amazing/!) and knowledgeable (developers and publisher staff) rather than pretty girls in revealing outfits just for the sake of it. We want the show to be friendly, and all 50,000 attendees to feel comfortable."

"At this year’s show three companies showed up with booth babes. Two in particular we thought were dressed inappropriately. As a short term measure we told them to move into the 18+ zone, and we asked some of them to put on leggings as well."

£Although it was only a small number of booth babes, our regret is that we didn’t go further on the first day and just say “this isn’t right” and ask them to change their clothes - or not attend."

"Instead, with the huge pressures of putting on such a large show and everything that comes with it, we let it go. And that’s what has prompted this debate – and we’re sorry it happened."

"For future shows we will be issuing formal guidelines: Booth babes are Not OK."

"Every gaming show has gone through this process – but hopefully we will prove that we are different by following through with this promise and next year the only thing people will be talking about will be the games."