This July, thousands will descend on Santa Monica California for the annual trade show for the computer and video game industry called the Electronics Entertainment Expo (or E3 as it is more commonly known...). In years past, as many as 70,000 people have lined up to see exhibits by over 400 companies. This year however, E3 will have a much different look and feel.

Large software developers complained to expo organizers that too many non-industry people were gaining access to the exhibits. Industry giants like Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Activision, and EA expressed a desire to return to a more intimate and more focused event. As a result, the only way to gain access to E3 this year (and into the foreseeable future) is to be invited.

Some looks at E3 in years past:

And if you do happen to find yourself holding an invitation to Santa Monica from July 11-13 (I like to call them "Golden Tickets") you should take note that you will not see the enormous, opulent exhibits of years past. Well, at least you won't see as many of them.

That's right, this year's E3 will have a total of just 32 exhibitors showing their wares for between 3,000 and 4,000 attendees. The little guys have been pushed out, and its now a show for the biggest names.

Here's the list of announced exhibitors: 1C Company, Activision, Akella, Atari, Atlus, Buena Vista Games, Capcom, Codemasters, Crave Entertainment, Eidos, Electronic Arts, Foundation9 Entertainment, Konami Digital Entertainment America, id Software, Logitech, LucasArts, Majesco, Microsoft, Midway, Namco Bandai Games America, NCsoft, Nintendo, Nyko, Sega of America, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sony Online Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, THQ, Ubisoft, Vivendi Games, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.