The revival is off
After several reports and confirmations of companies backing out of the show, the Entertainment Software Association (or ESA) has confirmed that E3 2023 is officially canceled.
The news arrives via a report from IGN, where two sources confirmed that the organization has announced E3’s cancellation through an email sent out to members today. The email says that while E3 is a “beloved event and brand,” the 2023 version “did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry.”
We’ve reached out for further comment.
Cruel summer
The ESA reaffirmed last year that it would return to an in-person event with E3 2023, after cancellations and online-only events marked its last few years. It even partnered with PAX organizer ReedPop to make this year’s show happen, pitching a concept that would include both industry and consumer days similar to Gamescom.
Despite those efforts, it looks like publishers did not want to sign on. The Big Three of Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft were all set to skip the show, though the latter will still hold its own showcase this summer. Ubisoft backed out of its plans, opting for its own Forward showcase as well. And Sega, Tencent, and Devolver soon followed suit. Yes, even the Devolver parking lot would have been absent. It’s really not E3 without that.
That said, the summer’s not called off just yet. The Summer Game Fest is still on, and as mentioned, there are several publishers planning to host their own showcases this June. Really, it seems like it will just be another summer without E3. At this point, the question is whether an E3 revival can actually happen.
Eric Van Allen
Senior News Reporter
For all the latest Games News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
