On Tuesday night several video game industry insiders and entities began beginning rumblings that one of the largest trade shows around would be canceled.
This morning the ESA made an official statement:
WASHINGTON – MARCH 11, 2020 – 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.
In the wake of this, head of Xbox, Phil Spencer issued a statement on social media stating the company would share all its usual E3 news via a digital platform. E3 2020 would have also been the first year in which WB Games would have held a live press conference in order to talk about the future of its Batman games.
E3 joins the growing list of events affected by coronavirus fears. But it is the first event to not make a postponement but rather a solid 2020 cancellation. The ESA has made a commitment that E3 will return in 2021.
