In a surprise announcement, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2023 has been cancelled. The annual gaming convention, which has been held for over two decades, was set to be a platform for new game announcements, trailers, and demos. This years show would have been the first live, in person E3 since 2019 due to COVID.
According to a statement from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the organization behind E3, the decision to cancel the event was made after careful consideration of feedback from industry partners and attendees. The statement cited a lack of interest from major developers and publishers, leading to a reduced number of exhibitors and attendees. In the weeks leading up to the announcement, several large studios and publishers, such as Microsoft, Ubisoft, Sony, and more, all announced they would be skipping the event.
This news is a significant blow to the gaming industry, as E3 has long been a highly anticipated event for gamers and industry professionals alike. The cancellation of E3 2023 marks the second year in a row that the event has been cancelled, with the pandemic cited as the reason for the cancellation of the 2022 event.
The ESA expressed disappointment in the cancellation of E3 2023 but noted that they will be exploring alternative ways to bring the gaming community together. The statement also emphasized the importance of the gaming industry and the ESA's commitment to supporting it.
The cancellation of E3 2023 underscores the challenges facing the gaming industry, with major developers and publishers increasingly opting to host their own events or showcase their products through digital channels. However, despite the cancellation of E3 2023, there is still much to look forward to in the world of gaming, with many exciting releases and innovations on the horizon.