Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo Are Skipping E3 2023, Report Says

Teejay Boris, Tech Times 30 January 2023, 09:01 pm

E3 2023 is rapidly approaching, but it looks like giant gaming firms like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are skipping the big comeback of the event this year.

(Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Game enthusiasts and industry personnel walk between the Microsoft XBox and the Sony PlayStation exhibits at the Annual Gaming Industry Conference E3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

Some fans might be taken by surprise as these firms that brought us the most popular gaming consoles these days, including the Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, take the spotlight in the annual convention. But this year, things might change.

Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo Are Skipping E3 2023

As per an exclusive report by IGN, the three giant console makers, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, are skipping this year's E3 event.

It is quite a bummer as E3 2023 seeks to make the comeback of the annual gaming event into a physical event after four years of keeping up with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The comeback to an in-person conference was supposed to occur last year. But in early 2022, COVID-19 cases across the globe were still rising. So they had to abandon the physical event in favor of an online format.

This year's E3 is returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center this June. And IGN reports that Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch console makers opt not to join the festivities.

Xbox Reportedly Won't Join E3's Showfloor

IGN reports that Xbox would be skipping the physical event. Thus, the giant gaming platform would not set up its booth on the showfloor in Los Angeles.

But The Verge reports that Xbox boss, Phil Spencer, noted that Microsoft is planning to kick off a showcase in Los Angeles this summer. However, he did not specifically mention the E3 event. So it might be a separate showcase.

Nintendo is Surprisingly Missing Out on E3 2023

Meanwhile, it is a bit surprising that Nintendo plans to skip the E3 event this year. The Switch maker has been getting the shimmer of the spotlight in the annual trade show through the years.

(Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
People wait in line for a chance to sample new games for Nintendo Switch at the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as E3, opening in Los Angeles, California on June 11, 2019.

But this time, The Verge notes in its report that the gaming event is taking place on awkward timing for the Switch maker. E3 is kicking off a month after the debut of its massive gaming title, "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." Given that, Nintendo might want its fans to focus on their newly launched game.

Sony PlayStation Dropping Out of E3 2023

IGN reports that their sources claim Sony has decided to skip this year's giant trade show again.

It is worth noting that Sony has been skipping E3 events in the past. In fact, PlayStation backed out from the event back in 2019. So this would not come off as a surprise.

However, it is unclear what Sony plans to do instead.