© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The E3, one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the gaming world, has been cancelled for 2023. This is the second time in a row that the event has been called off, following the cancellation of E3 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lacklustre online-only edition of E3 2021.
Also referred to sometimes as the “video game Christmas”, E3 has been a staple for video game announcements since 1995, and is typically where game publishers and console manufacturers reveal what’s next. 2023’s event was supposed to be held from June 13 to June 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The reason for the cancellation, according to a joint statement by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and event company ReedPop, is that E3 2023 “simply did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry.”
The statement also cites the challenges of unprepared playable demos and resourcing for an in-person event as factors that deterred many exhibitors from participating. Some of the biggest names in gaming, such as Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, Ubisoft, Sega, and Tencent, had already announced that they would not be attending E3 2023.
With the big players out of the picture, E3 was facing difficulties trying to attract attendees and media attention. The show has already been struggling to reinvent itself in an era where publishers are increasingly opting for online channels to showcase their latest products.
The cancellation raises questions about the future of the show and offline exhibitions as a whole. Will E3 ever return? And if so, what form will it take?
