E3 2023 has been cancelled, as first reported by IGN. This follows Several video game publishers and companies are pulling out of the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo in the last few weeks.
In a report dated 30, IGN said two sources have confirmed to the outlet that the Entertainment Software Association (the organization behind E3) has sent emails to ESA members announcing the cancellation.
According to reports, the ESA said in these emails, tWhile E3 is still a “beloved event and brand,” the upcoming 2023 show simply hadn’t generated the “sustained interest necessary to conduct it in a way that demonstrates the size, strength and impact of our industry.” The email then ended with ESA mentioning its ongoing commitment to advocacy.
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Shortly after IGN report was released, the official E3 Twitter account confirmed the news with this statement:
ReedPop and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) have announced that both the digital and physical events for E3 2023 are being cancelled.
E3 2023 was scheduled to start on June 13th and end on June 16th. my city contacted ReedPop regarding E3 2023.
Although it hadn’t been officially confirmed by ESA or E3 organizer ReedPop prior to this report, many had begun to question whether or not the annual show would actually take place. Last Monday, March 27th, Ubisoft confirmed that it was no longer participating in the fair. Earlier reports suggested that Sony would skip E3 again this year. And Microsoft had already confirmed it wouldn’t be on the show floor. It seemed like if the show took place it could be some kind of ghost town.
E3 has seen some tough times over the past few years. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, the event was already struggling for relevance.
In 2020 the fair was canceled due to Covid-19. In 2021, it returned as a digital-only show. However, The 2022 version of the show was canceled again in March last year. ReedPop later said in July 2022 that E3 would “return” in 2023. And I think it was right, just not in the way that was expected.
