Update [Wed 1st Feb, 2023 03:45 GMT]: The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has now issued a statement in response to the IGN’s story – saying he remains committed to E3. Here it is in its entirety:
As you’ve probably seen, IGN published an article about E3 last night. While we are unable to comment on the specific claims in the article, we wanted to share our commitment to moving forward with E3.
E3 has a rich history in our industry and we’re always glad to feel the passion for the show and hear what it means to different people. Reviving the show after a three-year hiatus and a global pandemic is always going to have its challenges, which is why we conducted an extensive search (in consultation with ESA member companies) to identify the best partner to produce E3. By choosing ReedPOP as our partner, we were able to leverage their rich history of hosting popular industry events, like PAX, and broader consumer shows, like Comic Con.
They’ve made strong progress in reshaping the event and have received overwhelming support from industry companies of all sizes who are thinking not just about E3 2023, but how E3 fits into marketing plans for 2024 and beyond.
It is important to note that even as the show evolves and adapts, it will not affect the core of ESA’s work for its member companies. Advocating your political interests at the state and federal level remains our priority.
We’ll share news and developments regarding E3 as they become available. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued support.
Original article [Tue 31st Jan, 2023 00:45 GMT]: E3 returns as a physical event for the first time in four years in 2023, and while it was expected to be a return to form for one of the biggest showcases in the gaming calendar, it looks like it could be without major players.
According to an IGN “exclusive,” the gaming media outlet has been told by “multiple knowledgeable sources” that Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox will not be joining the fun at E3 2023, and will also not be “present” at the show. floor of the Congress Center in Los Angeles.
While it’s no surprise that Nintendo won’t be hosting a showcase at the event, as the report noted, the Japanese company has traditionally held a booth at E3 year after year.
The article goes on to mention that PlayStation initially pulled out of the 2019 event due to “reported disagreements” with the ESA and Xbox this year, but has already announced its own summer showcase and will reportedly not have a booth at this year’s event.
In a statement last September, ReedPop said it was ready to “reunite the industry” with the annual gaming event. Full disclosure: Nintendo Life and its Hookshot Media are sister sites in partnership with ReedPop.
ReedPop gave a statement to IGN regarding its report, suggesting that negotiations are underway with “many of the biggest companies in the industry”:
E3 is such a momentous event for the gaming industry and being trusted by an important cultural touchstone is not a responsibility that ReedPop takes lightly. Since ReedPop took over the contract to run E3 six months ago, we’ve worked diligently with ESA members based on their feedback to create a new kind of E3 that supports their goals and needs.
This process took time due to the sheer number of stakeholders who offered input, although we appreciate that we could have been more transparent about the questions we were still finalizing answers to. We continue to work tirelessly to create a show that brings together the global gaming industry. We believe we have created a new event format that serves the needs of both the industry and its fans, and we are committed to building and growing in the coming years.
Because we’ve spent most of 2022 refining how E3 2023 will take shape, reflecting on the feedback we’ve sought, we didn’t send a single exhibitor contract until earlier this month. We’ve received a tremendous amount of interest and verbal commitments from many of the biggest companies in the industry, and when we’re ready to announce the exhibitors, we’re confident it will be a lineup that will make the trip to Los Angeles well worth it. industry and consumers.
