The E3 will not take place in 2020. After umpteen clear indications, the cancellation is now official – the rumors have come true. The reason is obvious: The fear of COVID-19, the coronoavirus, drives the organizers to pull the ripcord to protect the participating people. The official E3 presence states:
"After lengthy consultation with our member companies about the safety and health of all people in the gaming industry – our fans, employees, exhibitors and E3 partners – we decided to cancel E3 2020 in Los Angeles. After growing concern about the We believe COVID-19 virus is the best way to deal with such an unpredictable global crisis. We are very disappointed to have to cancel this event for our fans and supporters, but we think it is the right decision to the current situation. "
All ticket buyers will receive a refund in the coming days, the details will be communicated. Geoff Keighley, who moderates the Coliseum as part of the E3, also shares his grief about the situation on Twitter:
E3 2020 has been canceled. My heart has been on such a roller coaster the past month. To those of us who love games, we will find new and different ways to come together as a community. Please stay safe. pic.twitter.com/DlNW7SY5Bq
– Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) March 11, 2020
E3 canceled: what's next?
In the coming weeks, the individual publishers and developers will now have to clarify how they make the big announcements of the gaming industry – especially the reveal of the new consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X – organize otherwise. The already battered E3 could lose importance in the long term due to this emergency situation if the remaining exhibitors can successfully switch to streams and the like in 2020.
The E3 is just one event among many that were canceled in the gaming industry in the wake of the corona crisis. One of the first deletions was the Taipei Game Show, on which CD Projekt RED also wanted to bring a cyberpunk presentation. We will keep you up to date if new developments arise. At least Microsoft has already announced an alternative: There will be a digital Xbox event. More details will follow soon.
E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox. Given this decision, this year we'll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the @Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks https://t.co/xckMKBPf9h
– Phil Spencer (@ XboxP3) March 11, 2020
Ubisoft has already said on Twitter: They are also trying digital alternatives and announcing more information for later.
An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm
– Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) March 11, 2020
