UPDATE: E3 2020 Is Officially Canceled
UPDATE: The ESA officially released a statement on March 11th confirming that E3 2020 is officially canceled.
After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.
Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.
We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com.
We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.
Statement from the Electronic Software Association
(Original article follows)
With the ongoing cancellations and postponing of events, it’s no surprise that Entertainment Software Association (ESA) could plan to cancel the Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3. Sources close to the ESA are saying that the organization is expected to announce the cancellation of the event, the first time this has happened since 1996, later this week.
While no official statement has been made by the ESA, it’s been a difficult few months for the organization. Nearly half of the groups leadership have quit or been fired including the associations president. Numerous old employees have called the environment “toxic” and rife with internal politics and in-fighting. This coupled with waning attendance by major exhibitors, many in the video game industry have questioned how much longer E3 could possibly survive.
Now that the world is in the throws of Coronavirus panic there has been increased scrutiny and pressure put on all public events to consider canceling or postponing in the interest of public health. This has impacted numerous sporting events, both esports and traditional sports, as well as movie openings and other major conventions.
Since no official statement has been made by the ESA, speculation on the reason for the cancellation is running wild. In fact the only concrete piece of evidence thus far has been this tweet from developer Devolver Digital, stating “Cancel your E3 flights and hotels, y’all.”