Update: And it's official – E3 2020 has been canceled.
The news that E3 2020 is on the verge of cancellation makes us think of years ago. There was a time when the mere naming of the Electronic Entertainment Expo gave gamers all over the world a classic dopamine moment. E3 may have been a relatively minor event compared to the industry but it had a huge place in the minds of fans who watched the entire conference, read all the special entries and dreamed of what it would be like to wander down a show filled with fiberglass effigies of the most gaming characters, discovering behind the scenes never seen, run at Reggie, StreetPass-ing Eiji Aonuma or kneeling heavily at Miyamoto's feet as he emerges from the back of the platform.
Announcements may be good all year long, of course, but come June knowing there are big news coming, guaranteed. For many of us E3 has been a time of year more than a sensational event based in LA; something to look forward to and get hyped for. E3 was often synonymous with overflowing excitement, and that was built on the premise that it was not available to the general public, and as a result it was & # 39; special & # 39; in a way. All the shocking reports of journalists about the lack of sleep, poor hygiene and preview text gathered together on a laptop in the corner of the hall doesn't matter – we'd still give our right hand a chance to walk the show down.
It is strange in some ways that Nintendo, of all companies, was the first to see the undeniable consistency of E3 in the internet age.
In the years since E3 began going back in 1995, more and more gaming events have occurred around the world, events that have welcomed the public from the start and built awareness around them. Attendance at Gamescom and various PAXes surpassed attendance figures, but as an industry-only event, E3 has always enjoyed unique encounters between players.
When the Entertainment Software Association first acknowledged members of the public, starting with a limited year in 2015, it became clear to the public how much it was equipped to provide attendees with the same experiences they had been expecting at other events. It was sold to the surviving love and corner that many of us still have in the old days, a happy old trading event that would bring good news. These are the memories that still burn a few sparks in our stomach to this day.
© Nintendo LifeTony's decision staying away from the event Hardware New Year was an important, but understandable powder. They are also proud of the E3 show in 2019, but with the unveiled PS5 currently scheduled for the launch of the Holiday 2020, Tony's absence feels a bit more important. When Nintendo replaced its pre-recorded conference with E3 Direct for the first time in 2013, it cut down on authorities, cleared any shy road onstage (technical or otherwise) and completely retained control of its messages while still benefiting from its -E3. We joke on Sony & # 39; s Play for Sony & # 39; Direct & # 39; s Play, but it's amazing how long it took one to follow in Nintendo's footsteps. It is strange in some ways that Nintendo, of all companies, was the first to see the undeniable consistency of E3 in the internet age.
Despite being a confident frontman like Reggie Fils-Aimé and most of the beloved developers led by Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo has already made the decision to leave the press conference. Few other companies can expect a high turnout by throwing the stage with a plastic sword and a shield, but Nintendo has shown great benefits to offset the anxiety and costs of a press conference and speaks directly to their community. After all, the actual audience was not in the conference hall; why spend time posting a show on the press that was compelled and willing to report your news in any way it took? Nintendo may be a staple in its public support of the show, but it is not at the mercy of its heart. When E3 no longer serves its purpose, the company will quickly move on.
For the experienced, hard-working gamer who wants to see E3 flourish, this is a blessing in disguise; we can't be the only ones who tremble when it comes to the & # 39; experience hubs & # 39; and … & # 39;to understand each other& # 39;
If Sony's absence this year has been a blow to follow the bloody nose from Nintendo, it looks like the coronavirus is the final blow. While there is a belief among some people that this cancellation of the event canceled throughout the industry is an oversimplification of the threat posed by COVID-19, across cruise ships there are few better places to install and spread the virus than a gaming convention. & # 39; Pax pox & # 39; s not a joke, and it is a wise and responsible decision not to evacuate thousands of people from the open space where they are forced to touch their shared space and stand in line for hours.
In ESA, the decision to cancel should be extremely painful. If viewers were already heading to the door (following a list of announcements that cut ties with the event, from organizers to celebrities), the cancellation of E3 2020 gives them good reasons to find out no to E3 affects their messages. When companies see how they can successfully operate off-site, spread their voice through many other channels available in 2020 and at the same time remove the cost of displaying an expensive event in their annual budget, we suspect the E3 2021 registration figure will be greatly reduced. Cancellations forced publishers to make the jump that many had no confidence in making; coronavirus has given them a push and a fear of experimentation; to see what happens when they don't go to E3.
While ESA may have made sense, given the public's reaction to the organization's plans this year to turn E3 into an event for fans, media and their influence, the cancellation of a show that seemed unpopular – and before Sony came out in the open – would be welcomed by many, no matter how opinionated. global viral colors. For this experienced, hard-working player who wants to see an important and prosperous E3, this is a blessing; we can't be the only ones who tremble when it comes to the & # 39; experience hubs & # 39; and … & # 39;to understand each other& # 39 ;. Opening the doors to the public has shown how much ESA can understand what it needs to put in the eyes of its paying customers, and the sponsorship of press releases and information last year highlighted the care and respect of the organization. When internal planning documents went down in September last year filled with jargon explaining & # 39; s new & # 39; E3 driven by management and & # 39; activated & # 39 ;, sounds to many as if ESA is down to exciting, highly restricted aspects of sporting events. At a time when social marketing and sponsored content are easily exposed on the Internet, this approach sounds like a basic misunderstanding of what players want in an event labeled & # 39; E3 & # 39; Looks like it's going to be a glorified shopping tour rather than an industry event.
And E3 started out as an industry event, trade show – is what made it so popular in the community. Gamegoers want to feel like they are getting a look inside, to be laid in the back of the stage, not to wait in line for hours playing their switch and you hope the guys have provided soda samples from a passing cart. Journalists charged with reporting new unveiled games may admit to dark WiFi problems, dehydration and long hours at the end, but paying customers filled with thousands of others coughing up, trying to play the game they already have? It doesn't take a genius to see the writing on the wall, even though ESA obviously sees it in the short term.
if the actual event is replaced by a fully digital version, with each host and major publisher contributing in a way that makes their sense, there may be an undesirable impact on how (gamers) can understand and interact with the show.
Maybe it's because the organization itself is old and has somehow disappeared, unduly influenced by the buzzwords and creative thinking. It seems ESA doesn't understand the attraction E3 was used by millions of gamers around the world and it feels like it's being driven by older men out there. Given the high-risk population of COVID-19, E3 is surprising.
For many gamers, if the actual event is replaced with a digital-digital version, with each platform owner and publisher contributing in a way that makes it clear to them, it will have a negative impact on how they see and see the show. Also, for many of us E3 has always been a time, not a destination. The argument that platform holders would do better to remove itself entirely from the June announcement is more waterproof, despite ignoring the general public's attention and non-E3 media reporting.
And without the cancellation of the event itself, the dearth of information will remain – for now the Nintendo Direct limbo we have featured. It makes sense for E3 to continue in some way, and if a global epidemic compels ESA to reconsider its approach, that may ultimately be a good thing. Charging for a ticket to buy cheap swag and line to play Fortnite he would not have saved E3. Flying people around the world to showcase a product that you can send electronically is unrealistic, and has many opportunities to re-think and come up with better ways to engage with your audience than the convenience of direct streamers. E3 could be a demo download, a real social experience and a gaming experience that sounds a lot smaller than a buzzword upload plan that popped up a few months ago. There are endless possibilities. Back in January we asked Nintendo Life readers whether E3 is important to them by 2020. Many felt that the event still had an important role to play in the sports calendar.
If an event is canceled, it's the end of the season. The truth, however, is that E3 has been on a bad path for a long time and the coronavirus has quickly passed its inevitable doom. It is sad, but also something refreshing to see a once mythical event bring out their misery with reverence. If it is to survive in some way – and thrive – it now needs to revive Dr. Who-style, rejuvenated on the outside but with the same beating heart (s) it was so enjoyable in the old days.
Is this the end, my friend? Can E3 come back stronger than it was the following year, or is it better for him to go that good night? Did you like the sound of what ESA is planning this year? Let us know what you think below.
