This year the organizers of the E3 follow the example of the GDC and other events and cancel the fair because of the corona virus? One of the questions that concerns Kotaku journalist Jason Schreier, who currently sees E3 "before a major existential decision", should the fair not take place:
If E3 2020 is canceled and the video game publishers wind up doing digital events instead, I expect most of them to look at how little they lose by not being there (and how much money they save) and follow Sony's lead in ditching E3 permanently. Big existential moment here https://t.co/qSBgobOhGJ
– Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 4, 2020
Schreier therefore believes that the manufacturers will learn to appreciate the value of in-house online presentations instead of a trade fair like the E3 and could follow Sony's example by permanently foregoing their presence at the E3.
This in turn could have a fatal impact on the future of the fair as a whole. "Most will find out how little they have to lose (and how much money they save) if they skip the E3," Schreier writes.
So the alternative is: In-house events that are broadcast online and where you don't have to share the stage with the competition.
Will the E3 2020 take place as planned?
The Electronic Software Association (ESA), which is responsible for the organization of E3, said in a statement (via Gamesindustry.biz), they are still planning to organize "a safe and successful E3 from June 9 to 11, 2020".
Nevertheless, safety and health have top priority for the trade fair participants – if necessary, the trade fair could be canceled under the relevant circumstances.
more on the subject
Developer conference GDC postponed due to Corona, what about the E3?
Because whether the E3 2020 will take place on schedule this year depends on a number of different factors:
- Exceptional condition in Los Angeles: The city of L.A., where the fair is to take place, has declared a state of emergency and wants to strengthen measures to protect the population from the virus. This could also affect the fair itself, depending on how long the emergency lasts.
- Participants must weigh risk: Even if ESA maintains its decision to hold the fair despite the corona virus, individual manufacturers could withdraw their participation in the fair, which in turn would question the meaning of the fair itself.
So ESA does not have the future of E3 in its own hands – and if Jason Schreier is right, the corona virus could mean the end of the game fair in the long run.
