E3 2023 Canceled: Another Blow to the Industry’s Biggest Expo

By | Niranjan Bhargav 31 Mar, 2023

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has reportedly announced that E3 2023, the industry’s biggest expo, has been canceled. This news follows the withdrawal of major publishers, including Ubisoft, Sega, and Tencent, who joined console manufacturers Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony in announcing they would not participate in this year’s event.

Lack of Interest

According to IGN, E3 organizers cited a lack of sustained interest from publishers as the reason for the cancellation. In an official statement, the ESA said that E3 2023 “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.” This comes as no surprise given that more publishers had backed out of the event, with others casting doubt on their participation in the show.

The ESA had enlisted ReedPop, the company behind PAX and Star Wars Celebration, to run E3 2023. However, it seems that even their expertise in producing successful events wasn’t enough to overcome the lack of enthusiasm from the gaming industry.

Competing Events

While E3 2023 has been canceled, other events will serve as alternatives for game publishers and developers to showcase their wares. The Geoff Keighley-produced Summer Game Fest will run from June 8-10 and provide a platform for companies such as Microsoft and Ubisoft to hold their own digital events. It’s also expected that other publishers will follow suit and host their own digital showcases.

The Industry’s Valuation of E3

The cancellation of E3 2023 is another blow to the industry’s biggest expo. After E3 2019, the most recent in-person version of the event, E3 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, E3 was held as an all-digital event, and the ESA attempted both an in-person and digital version of E3 2022, but both were canceled.

The cancellation of E3 2023 is disappointing news for gamers who look forward to the annual event. However, it’s not surprising given the recent trend of publishers pulling out and the challenges of organizing an event in the midst of a pandemic. While the future of E3 remains uncertain, there’s no doubt that the gaming industry will continue to find ways to showcase its upcoming releases and innovations.

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