The Electronic Entertainment Expo was once the most important trade fair in the video game sector, but it lost its luster even before Corona and as part of the pandemic. 2023 was supposed to mark a new start, but this year’s fair was ultimately called off due to a lack of relevant participants. Is the same fate already certain for 2024 and 2025?
Update: ESA spokesman comments (06/23/2023 – 1:15 p.m.)
An ESA spokesman has meanwhile commented on the statement by the Los Angeles City Tourism Board of Commissioners. Accordingly, the E3 2024 is currently still conceivable; there is no final rejection yet.
Across from GameIndustry.biz the spokesman said that “talks are currently being held about E3 2024 (and beyond)”. And further: “At the moment, no final decisions have been made regarding the event.”
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Original message: Fair already canceled for 2024 and 2025? (06/23/2023 – 09:16 am)
The ESA, together with new partners, had already gotten into the concrete planning of the E3 2023, which should have helped the once important video game fair to its former glory. However, the big manufacturers and developers dropped out in rows, which is why this year’s edition was called off, as is well known. Instead, Geoff Keighley has further expanded the importance of his Showcase Summer Game Fest, around which developers and publishers have also placed their own showcases.
However, the cancellation in 2023 should not represent a definitive end for E3, but there may not be an E3 comeback in 2024 and 2025 either. At least that’s what new documents from the Los Angeles City Tourism Board suggest, which appear to confirm that the event will be canceled behind closed doors for the next few years.
Via ResetEra a document has emerged in which the tourism authority evaluates, for example, the overnight stays booked in hotels. There is already a concrete note in a footnote on the future prospects: “Includes E3 cancellations for 2024 & 2025”.
Assuming that the local tourism authority already knows more, the official cancellation of E3 2024 and E3 2025, which is still pending, is probably only a matter of time. This year’s E3 2023 was shelved on March 30, 2023. Should there be an official statement from ESA, you will of course also find out about it on igamesnews!
Felix looks back at E3 2021 and introduces his winners and losers from the show.
