The iconic Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) has been indefinitely canceled, marking the end of an era for the game industry’s biggest event. The decline of E3 began when main players like Sony Interactive Entertainment started skipping the event, and new possibilities emerged due to the advent of virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite an all-virtual edition in 2021, the expo was canceled in 2022 and once again in March 2023, fueling doubts about its potential return.
ESA CEO and president Stanley Pierre-Louis has confirmed that the cancellation is likely permanent, citing the industry’s evolving landscape. He acknowledged the increasing opportunities for developers and publishers to directly connect with players, a shift that many companies have embraced. Notably, events such as the Summer Games Fest and The Game Awards, more geared towards announcements than awards, have begun to replace E3.
Looking back, E3 had an impressive run since its first event in 1995, regularly attracting tens of thousands of attendees with a few exceptions, the event was consistently hosted in Los Angeles. Its influence persisted until its last in-person show in 2019, which attracted a turnout of 69,200 people.
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