A number of video game fairs and events have been canceled this year due to concerns about the spread of the new Corona virus. Now the E3 appears to follow.
When there were first doubts a few days ago, the organizer – the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) – still guaranteed that the fair would take place. More concerns came up when their creative director left.
Who reports about the demolition?
The Developer Devolver Digital Shortly after midnight in Germany on March 11, 2020, tweeted that flights to E3 and any hotel reservations should be canceled.
Cancel your E3 flights and hotels, y’all.
– Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) March 11, 2020
Jason Schreier replied to this tweet and explained that he had heard rumors from various developers and publishers that the E3 would not take place. However, he also states that ESA has not yet made a final decision, but is discussing the issue with the publishers. Personally, he assumes that the official cancellation is only a matter of time.
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
The Twitter channel Wario64 equally briefly and succinctly claims that the organizers will announce very soon that the E3 will not take place.
Word is official announcement coming soon
– Wario64 (@ Wario64) March 11, 2020
That also confirms Mike feed, former Game Informer editor and industrial consultant. He also has a rough date for the announcement: on the morning of March 11, 2020, it will be official. Thus, an official statement by ESA should appear no later than afternoon in German time.
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 should be special
While in the past the trade fair was always aimed at trade visitors, in 2020 they wanted to be more consumer-oriented, such as gamescom in Cologne. The new motto should »Fan, Media and Influencer Festival« ring.
Jason Schreier already claimed that the E3 would cancel this year in the long term the end of the fair could mean. According to him, so many publishers and developers can see that in times of online streaming, they are no longer dependent on E3 and can simply replace their presentations with digital events.
