The biggest gaming expo in the world, E3, has been cancelled for 2022, having previously been planned as an online-only event. Independently verified by IGN, Will Powers, PR for gaming peripheral manufacturer Razer, said that he received an email stating the digital event was cancelled.
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It was expected that E3 would be returning to an in-person event this year for the first time since 2019. However, in January, E3 was once again shifted from an in-person event to an online-only exhibition due to the pandemic. Now, it seems that the digital event has been completely cancelled.
The exhibition has been hit hard by the lack of events, with many worried about the financial health of the organisation. The pandemic is still hitting the industry hard as well, across the board. A number of video game industry professionals reported testing positive recently after attending the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Due to the shift away from large in-person events, video game publishers have increasingly withdrawn from E3 in favour of hosting their own online events like Nintendo’s Direct showcases, EA Play Live, and Sony’s State of Play. It now seems that E3 has too little to offer in an online event to make it worth their while.
While not having an E3 at all bodes ill for the continued health of the show, according to a tweet from Axios’ Stephen Totilo, the ESA said, “E3 will return in 2023 with a reinvigorated showcase that celebrates new and exciting video games and industry innovations.” E3 2023 is expected to be both an online and in-person event.
“We will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer. Whether enjoyed from the show floor or your favourite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media, and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience,” the ESA said.
