E3 will make its return in 2023, according to the Entertainment Software Association. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, E3 canceled its live events in favor of a digital-only show in 2021, and the ESA announced earlier this year that the 2022 show was canceled entirely.
“We’re excited about coming back in 2023 with both a digital and an in-person event. As much as we love these digital events, and as much as they reach people and we want that global reach, we also know that there’s a really strong desire for people to convene – to be able to connect in person and see each other and talk about what makes games great,” said Stan Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of the ESA.
Hosted by the ESA, the E3 exhibition is an annual marketing and network showcase for the video game industry. Once considered the premier event on the gaming calendar, the show has suffered in recent years due to the increased availability of online communication, which allows game companies to communicate directly with their partners and audiences, rather than via a large media event. Sony and Nintendo began opting out of E3 appearances in favor of their own State of Play and Nintendo Direct presentations, respectively. E3 also appeared to be on the losing end of a very public split with Geoff Keighley, a host and presenter at the show. Keighley went on to create a competing showcase, Summer Game Fest.
Many in the industry have questioned whether there is an ongoing need for exhibitions like E3, and for its part, E3 has tried to revitalize its brand by inviting video game fans to actively participate. However, this rebrand has met with mixed results and has not provided the rejuvenation that E3 was hoping for.
Will you be attending E3 2023?
