ESA confirms cancellation of E3 2023

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E3 2023 has officially been cancelled, the ESA has confirmed today, according to a report from IGN. The once highly anticipated game convention was a behemoth in the industry for many years and was a chance for media, developers, and more to meet all in one place. To talk about upcoming games and gaming hardware, to show off demos, and for companies to make big announcements.

2023 was supposed to be a sort of return to form for E3 in this regard. As it would have been the first in-person event since the 2019 convention. The show was cancelled in 2020, and 2021 saw E3 return in digital form only. With 2022 being cancelled as well. This marks the second year in a row E3 won’t be around to give gamers the scoop on what’s next for the upcoming year in games. And the third cancellation altogether.

The cancellation announcement comes after some of gaming’s biggest companies confirmed they wouldn’t be attending. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all stated they wouldn’t be at the event this year. And most recently Ubisoft pulled out of the event after having confirmed its attendance earlier in the year.

E3 2023 was confirmed cancelled this morning

While it seems fans and media are just hearing about it this afternoon, IGN notes that according to sources, the ESA informed partners of the cancellation earlier this morning. An email sent out to members confirmed the cancellation. Stating that the 2023 show “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.”

This year’s cancellation however does not necessarily mean no more E3 forever. ReedPop, says that it will continue to work with the ESA on future E3 events. That being said, ReedPop doesn’t appear to mention what those events are. Or if they’ll be full scale E3 events like people are used to.

2023-03-31 15:09:47