The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has cancelled E3 2022, news that has circulated after it notified partners earlier today about its decision to no longer host a digital event.
At the start of the year, the ESA had confirmed that the event would not be held in-person in response to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic: “Due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and attendees, E3 will not be held in person in 2022. We are nonetheless excited about the future of E3 and look forward to announcing more details soon.” Now, E3 2022 won’t happen at all.
“E3 will return in 2023 with a reinvigorated showcase that celebrates new and exciting video games and industry innovations,” the ESA writes. “We previously announced that E3 would not be held in person in 2022 due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19. Today, we announce that there will also be no digital E3 showcase in 2022.
“Instead, 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 favorite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience.
“We look forward to presenting E3 to fans around the world live from Los Angeles in 2023. Look for more news and announcements soon.”
IGN‘s sources have gone further than the ESA’s statement, indicating that third-party partners had become frustrated with its continued silence about its plans to host a digital event for E3 2022 – which had lacked a “strong momentum to drive them.”
There will still be an event to look forward to in June, with Geoff Keighley confirming that Summer Game Fest 2022 will be back. And there will be the inevitable Nintendo Direct broadcast, too.
