The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has officially confirmed that the Electronic Entertainment Expo more popularly known as E3, is coming to an end.
Since 1995, it's been freely operating and gamers across the world know what it takes just to attend this annual event.
End of an Era For E3
Classic video games in Micro Player design from My Arcade are displayed at the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as E3, in Los Angeles on June 11, 2019. - Gaming fans and developers gather, connecting thousands of the brightest, best, and most innovative in the interactive entertainment industry and a chance for many to preview new games
In an exclusive interview with The Washington Post, Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of the ESA, verified that E3 is indeed resting for good this time.
E3, a central showcase for the global video game industry, faced challenges in recent years, including the cancellation of E3 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent transition to an all-digital format for E3 2021 and the cancellation of E3 2022 fueled speculation about the conference's future.
Rumors circulated that diminishing company presence, coupled with the success of other gaming events, contributed to E3's fallout.
— E3 (@E3) December 12, 2023
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E3 Failed to Improve
Despite initial promises of a reinvented showcase in September, Pierre-Louis revealed that efforts to evolve E3 were unsuccessful. He acknowledged the industry's changing landscape, stating that companies now have alternative means, such as individual showcases, to connect with consumers and business partners.
The decision to retire E3 reflects the industry's transformation and the multitude of avenues companies have to engage with their audience.
While E3 was once unparalleled in unveiling groundbreaking game reveals, the evolving dynamics of the gaming landscape have shifted the focus away from the traditional conference format, per Gizmodo.
Farewell to a Beloved Video Game Event
Acknowledging the passion of industry players and creators for E3, Pierre-Louis stated that it's indeed hard to part ways with an event that has been impactful in the gaming field.
"We know it's difficult to say goodbye to such a beloved event, but it's the right thing to do given the new opportunities our industry has to reach fans and partners," he said.
The official website of E3 has been replaced with a message expressing gratitude for over two decades of memories, signaling the end of an era. The closure of E3 marks the conclusion of a chapter that has played a significant role in shaping the video game industry's narrative.
Although the demise of E3 will send shockwaves to the whole industry, Pierre-Louis still believes that there's good in every bad thing.
He adds that one of the major companies is capable of creating and showcasing what the people have seen in E3. He also mentions that this might be the time for the industry to explore other opportunities that will attract new audiences in various ways.
It's disheartening to know that the future generation of gamers will not see E3—but only as a memory now. However, time has proven again and again that there's a big change waiting on the other side of the rainbow.
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