The large and actually important US trade fair E3 was also announced as a digital event for this year due to the pandemic – but nothing will come of it now. This year’s edition has now been completely canceled.
Rumors were already circulating in January that the organizing Entertainment Software Association (ESA) could forgo hosting a digital version of the E3 this year. Since last night there has actually been certainty: the digital E3 2022 planned for the summer is now really falling through the water.
After the classic version of the trade fair with on-site stands and visitors w as canceled in January, the digital format that was actually planned was not well received by the companies. Accordingly, the ESA has now apparently informed developers and publishers that the digital event will be canceled. A little later there was also a confirmation to the American colleagues from Polygon
A statement there states that E3 2022 will be cancelled, but that the fair should return next year. 2023 should then bring back the classic format on site. All energy and resources will now be used to ensure a fitting comeback of the trade fair next year. The E3 should then return to Los Angeles, the usual venue of the event in the days before Corona.
In 2020, E3 was completely canceled for the first time due to the pandemic, but then returned as a digital version in 2021. At that time companies like Nintendo, Ubisoft, Xbox, Square Enix, Capcom and Warner Bros. took part. The Summer Game Fest, which was created by Game Awards creator Geoff Keighley, also competed with this digital format. The same Summer Game Fest will continue to take place in June and should therefore be the scene of the most important announcements in a big kickoff show that has traditionally taken place as part of E3. In addition, more and more companies are also relying on their own streams and digital events.
Felix looks back at E3 2021 and introduces his winners and losers from the show.
