Due to the corona virus, major events are canceled almost anywhere in the world – and this now also seems to affect E3 2020.
Update:
ESA made it official. The E3 2020 has been canceled due to the spread of the corona virus. Here is an official statement from the organizers: "After careful consideration with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our long-term E3 partners – we made the difficult decision, the E3 2020 which was due to take place in Los Angeles between June 9th and 11th. " But investigate ways to offer an online experience in order to be able to publicly present announcements from the industry in June.
Original message:
An official statement from the organizing ESA is still pending, but it seems that the E3 2020 will not take place in June as planned. After the Game Developers Conference and SXSW, it would be the third major gaming event in 2020 to be canceled due to the corona virus.
Most recently, ESA has repeatedly emphasized that it has not yet made a decision regarding the direction and accordingly continues to push ahead with planning. However, one wanted to keep a close eye on developments regarding virus spread.
Now the tweets from industry representatives are increasing, suggesting that the E3 2020 will actually be canceled. One of the first spreaders of the message is publisher Devolver Digital, who is known to have held another press conference in LA. In a short message, readers are now asked to "cancel the E3 flights and hotels".
Cancel your E3 flights and hotels, y’all.
– Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) March 11, 2020
This was followed by further tweets from the renowned gaming press, including Patrick Klepe, Mike Futter and above all Jason Schreier. The latter is probably the best-known insider at the English-language magazine Kotaku and is usually extremely well informed, also because he is extremely well networked in the industry. Citing sources from developers and publishers, it also says from this direction that the E3 2020 will not take place. Basically, it is left open whether the corresponding companies have withdrawn their participation or the event has been canceled.
>> Release preview: The games in March 2020
Been hearing secondhand whispers tonight from several devs / pubs that E3 is canceled, although I've also heard from a couple of people in positions to know that the ESA hasn't officially made a decision yet and is still consulting with pubs. Either way, it's only a matter of time https://t.co/Od0MDj3ZXv
– Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 11, 2020
My day started with investigating some E3 stuff. Ended with multiple (and I mean MULTIPLE) sources coming my way.
E3 cancelation announcement scheduled for tmw AM. I don’t think it will hold the night. Many of us have been engaged by sources this evening.
Cancel your plans.
– Mike Futter (@Futterish) March 11, 2020
The E3 2020 is particularly interesting with regard to the next-gen generation around PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Even if Sony will not be there anyway, various new announcements are also expected for the PS5. As soon as there is an official statement from ESA as to whether the E3 actually does not take place, we will of course report on it.
