game Over for E3 2023: Cancelled Due to Lack of Interest
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the beloved annual gaming event, has been canceled after much anticipation. The decision was made due to a lack of sustained interest required for the event to be successful. (VIA ING)
The cancellation email that was sent to members of the organization, stated that, while E3 is still a popular event, it simply did not generate enough interest to demonstrate the size, strength, and impact of the gaming industry. The Los Angeles Convention Center was set to host E3 from June 13th to June 16th, marking the first in-person E3 event since 2019.
before
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, E3 was canceled in 2020, and a digital version was held in 2021. The event was canceled again in 2022 in order to focus on a "revitalized showcase" for hybrid industry events. E3's return for this year was revealed last June, alongside the confirmation that E3 2022 had been canceled.
nobody comes to my party
The cancellation comes as a number of industry heavyweights, including Xbox, Nintendo, PlayStation, and, more recently, Ubisoft, Tencent, and Sega, confirmed they would not be attending E3 in any capacity. Leaving no major publisher having been confirmed to be present, with the majority opting to host their digital showcases elsewhere.
the future
The cancellation of E3, the industry's main event for showcasing new games, hardware, and services, is a significant loss for the gaming community. However, with the rise of digital events and the success of game-specific showcases, there is optimism that the gaming event industry will continue to thrive despite E3 no longer being with us, and perhaps, just maybe, we will see a return next year.