Thursday, March 30th 2023
E3 2023 Officially Canceled
Following the exodus of many high profile companies within the gaming and entertainment industries, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the cancellation of E3 2023. The event was to be held on June 13th through the 16th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and would have been the first in-person E3 in 4 years, the last in-person event having been in 2019. In an email sent out to members the ESA stated that E3, "remains a beloved event and brand," but that the 2023 event, "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 email ends with no mention of the event's future.
ESA has issued an official public statement from Kyle Marsden-Kish, Global VP of Gaming, on the cancellation:
In the public statement ReedPop and the ESA assures that they will continue to work together on future E3 events. With the last two years of cancellations, and uncertainty surrounding the event drawing in the headlining industry partners who have independently chosen to host their own online or hybrid events, it remains unclear as to what a future E3 would look like.
Source:
IGN
ESA has issued an official public statement from Kyle Marsden-Kish, Global VP of Gaming, on the cancellation:
This was a difficult decision because of all the effort we and our partners put toward making this event happen, but we had to do what's right for the industry and what's right for E3. We appreciate and understand that interested companies wouldn't have playable demos ready and that resourcing challenges made being at E3 this summer an obstacle they couldn't overcome. For those who did commit to E3 2023, we're sorry we can't put on the showcase you deserve and that you've come to expect from ReedPop's event experiences.
31 Comments on E3 2023 Officially Canceled
I wouldn't want to go to Los Angeles either lol
Should of had it in a city where looting isn't allowed practice :laugh:
It's dead, Jim.
I am old enough to have been a pretty hardcore gamer back when the first E3 happened, so I have many fond memories of launches etc there.
But to quote bug:
Basically, they went from embracing some of the nerdiness to trying to appease everyone, and it ended up not being worth its value even in the years prior to COVID.
Ironically, the best place to find some informal game booths are at anime conventions. I recall seeing a Square Enix booth at one, with two hired cosplayers dressed up as Tifa and Cloud. There's that odd overlap where games are now being associated with anime to some degree, given that you can also find God of War and Halo cosplayers at an anime convention. I wouldn't be surprised if more gaming companies shift over to some degree.
Youtubers are the only one sad they have one less spamming events to use :sleep: