The physical part of E3 2021 has reportedly been cancelled, according to a new report by the Board of Los Angeles Convention and Tourism Development Commission.
As spotted by Video Games Chronicle, the report has an updated sales list, which notes that E3 2021 has a “cancelled live event” - most likely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it also adds that the board is assisting E3 on its digital event, something that VGC also reported last month.
Alongside the 2021 plans, it’s also said that the board is working on bringing a license for E3’s 2022 and 2023 events, indicating it has no plans to stop anytime soon, despite the pandemic pulling the brakes on a physical show floor.
The digital counterpart that E3 is planning has been reported to run between June 15-17, with a preview night also pencilled in for June 14. Each 12 hour day will be comprised of showcases, but according to the report, publishers are being asked for a six figure sum to secure a slot during the event.
All E3 has officially confirmed so far is that they are working hard on a 2021 event and can’t wait to share the “full picture” of what that will look like. More news has been promised soon.
Would you like to see E3 return in some capacity this year? Let us know in the comments below.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 8
Another boring summer then meeh
Do miss the show overall.
Well here’s hoping for 2022.
Surley this was obvious!? I could of told you this months ago. With the placement of exhibitors taking their own route for announcements and the organiser charging 1000's for a space, it's no wonder they are cancelling. It's no longer a beneficial factor for companies, it's just not appealing anymore.
Did anyone think there was a live show?!? I thought this was known information long, long ago. Even weeks ago they were talking about the digital event with no mention of a live event. I don't think anything was "cancelled" - there was never anything planned. I imagine this was just a pre-secured booking that rolled over officially.
I'm still hoping for a solid digital event though. With bamco now registering their digital showcase name that seems less likely, but then, Nintendo premiered Direct as part of E3 so there's still hope. Last year was dismal with scattered events all over the place. We really need E3, one way or another, to anchor the industry news.
I think E3 is dead.
We just need a month for all gaming to shine. Last year everything was spread out over 4-6 months and it was horrible. Nitendo Sony and Xbox each have their own showcase in a particular week and let the publishers do their shows in between. Just get it all out in 3-4 weeks tops. Summer game fest said they are doing all announcements over a few weeks i believe this year. Guy running the show seems to be a PlayStation fan so i imagine Xbox has some stuff there but they will be doing their own major show afterwards. Just my opinion.
@Tharsman I don't think E3 is dead. The game's industry needs a big showcase like E3, and now that it will have been gone for two years straight I think publishers, developers and the press will realise just how important it is. E3 has been "dying" before and came back in a big way, and with a new generation underway I think it will again.
@TimG13 disagree. The industry does not need an E3.
EA, Nintendo and Sony had already pulled out of E3, as did Xbox. Xbox just happened to schedule their own big show at the same time but independently, at Microsofts own facilities.
I'm also sure Bethesda will be pulling out in the future.
Last year everyine experimented with spread events, but I think that had nothing to do with E3 not being there to "coordinate" the industry, but with covid making it hard to prepare any large presentation or even be certain what would be ready.
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