Seems like I wasn't the only one of the opinion that E3 made a splashy comeback with this year's event. Industry bigwigs also expressed their satisfaction with how it averted near-disaster, and giving a great show despite the pull-out of some companies, as well as the threat of the A-H1N1 virus. Check out what some of the industry personalities had to say about E3 2009 after the jump.

Love him or hate him, it can't be denied that Kobe Bryant is one of the best players ever to pick up a basketball. As KB24 eyes his fourth championship ring and taking Game 1 of this year's Finals with a convincing 40-point performance and a game-high 8 assists, the superstar will be on the cover of 2K Sports' NBA 2K10.

3D Realms is now denying that they received an offer from Take-Two Interactive for the IP of Duke Nukem Forever. Rumors swirled last week that US$ 30 million was put on the table, but the devs are saying that these are all just that - rumors.

When contractual obligations are not carried out according to stipulations agreed to by both parties, you can expect an ugly lawsuit to come next. What more if the agreement is not carried out at all? 3D Realms is about to find out the answer to that scenario as Take-Two Interactive files suit against what's left of the developer company for failing to deliver Duke Nukem Forever, via its parent company, Apogee.

E3 is back and bigger than ever! ... is what I want to say. But you get the next best thing. E3 is back and it's bigger than last year! Restrictions on attendance will be lessened this year, and Activision Blizzard, the company that started the studio exodus from the ESA, is back.

More details after the link.

Effective immediately, Take-Two COO Gary Dale is now "former COO" of the company. It was only six months ago that he assumed the position, and now he's cleared his desk and left.

You gotta give props to Jack Thompson. Even a disbarment won't shut him up. The former attorney once again makes headlines after he sent an email saying that he wants to lead a movement to oust Take-Two Interactive's chairman, Strauss Zelnick.

You wanna see M-rated games on the Wii? Buy Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars when it comes out. According to Take-Two, they're using the game to see whether games with mature themes are suited for the platform.

Rockstar Games, the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto series, have signed in a new long-term contract with publisher Take-Two Interactive. Guess studios like Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard lost their chance to nab the Houser brothers.

How many articles about bad economy and suffering publishers have you read on QJ in the past two months? I lost count. That's because it's undeniable - the gaming industry in in the toilet, praying not to be flushed. Take-Two's Chief exec, Strauss Zelnick, describes the current situation to be so bad, that "being slightly down is the new up."