E3's Cancellation Becomes Permanent
E3, the renowned gaming showcase, meets its demise as the parent company officially announces its permanent cancellation, marking the end of an era in the gaming industry
It's official: E3 is dead. The long-running Electronic Entertainment Expo has faced numerous challenges over the last several years, and after a failed attempt to revive it once again this year, its parent company has confirmed that it is ending the gaming showcase.
"After more than two decades of hosting an event that has served as a central showcase for the U.S. and global video game industry, the Entertainment Software Association has decided to bring E3 to a close," ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis said to The Washington Post. "We know the entire industry, players and creators alike have a lot of passion for E3. We share that passion. 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."
E3's decline began years ago when major partners like Sony, EA, and Nintendo decided to hold their own separate events instead of participating in the annual E3. New competitors like Geoff Keighley's Summer Games Fest emerged, and the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a final blow to E3. The ESA hosted a digital E3 in 2021, but it ended up losing more money than it made. The 2022 and 2023 shows were both canceled.
ReedPop was once tasked with reviving E3, but those plans fell through as well. The lack of interest from publishers and developers led to the last-minute cancellation of E3 2023, resulting in ReedPop and the ESA parting ways. Although a 2024 E3 seemed unlikely, there were rumors of a "complete reinvention" of the show for 2025.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I grew up with E3 as an integral part of the gaming calendar. It was always exciting to tune in to the live streams and see the latest and greatest games being revealed. E3 was a time for the gaming community to come together and celebrate our shared passion. The news of its permanent cancellation is truly saddening, and it marks the end of an era.
However, I also understand the reasons behind E3's demise. The gaming industry has changed dramatically in recent years, with publishers and developers now opting to hold their own events or showcase their games through online platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, and it became clear that E3 was no longer the central hub for gaming news and announcements that it once was. While I will miss E3, I am excited to see how the gaming industry continues to evolve and find new ways to connect with fans.
