The Entertainment Software Association has confirmed that the E3 Media and Business Summit will take place next year, although it hasn’t given any details of how the show might differ following 2008’s heavily criticized event.

Last week EA CEO John Riccitiello and Ubisoft’s North America president Laurent Detoc hit out at the structure of the recent downsized E3 events, while leading industry analyst Michael Pachter suggested that E3 is “headed for extinction” if it continues in its current format.

"As we do every year, we're beginning the process of surveying exhibitors and attendees to determine potential changes to the Summit," an ESA representative said in a statement issued to Edge-Online.

"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."

Around 5,000 people are thought to have attended 2008's downsized event at the LA Convention Center, while in 2006 a glitzy E3 attracted around 60,000 attendees.

"We just need to decide where the dial needs to go," ESA boss Michael Gallagher told the San Francisco Chronicle recently.