UPDATE: All E3 2023 Events Have Been Canceled
Is this the end of an era?
Update: The writing was on the wall this week as news of Ubisoft, SEGA and Level Infinite pulling out from E3 2023 left the show with little backing. Previously, Xbox and Nintendo were said to be skipping the event alongside Sony who had committed to not attending since 2018. Now, E3 has confirmed that its physical and digital events for 2023 have been canceled. Moving forward, its pre-pandemic showcases look to be a thing of the past and it will take a serious overhaul for E3 to adapt to the industry’s evolved state if it wants to host another event anywhere near the scale of its former self.
News on #E32023 from the source. pic.twitter.com/BK7TUlb8mZ
— E3 (@E3) March 30, 2023
Original Story: Since 1995, the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) has served as one of the video game industry’s biggest stages. Presenters have consistently included the likes of Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Electronic Arts and more as they would each host showcases annually at the trade show. However, its future is in jeopardy. Amidst the pandemic, it had to cancel E3 2020 — forcing many companies to announce company-focused events — while its 2021 show went digital and 2022 showing was cancelled entirely. Now, a growing list of presenters are skipping this year’s event.
At the start of February, Sony — who hasn’t attended since 2018 — Xbox and Nintendo were reported to be skipping the show, prompting many to consider the event’s feasibility. This week, the list has grown with VGC reporting Ubisoft’s decision to pass on the event in favor hosting its Ubisoft Forward show once again. Following this reveal, IGN has shared that SEGA and Level Infinite are following suit by not attending, leaving the event a mere skeleton of what it was before the pandemic.
E3 2023 is scheduled to take place from June 13 to June 16 while Ubisoft Forward is scheduled for June 12. Stay tuned for more news regarding this major shake-up in the gaming industry.
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