E3 2023 Has Been Officially Cancelled

The ESA has today announced to its members that E3 2023 is cancelled. In an email shared with IGN, it is revealed that the event "did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry".

A statement from ReedPop reads: "This was a difficult decision because of all the effort we and our partners put toward making this event happen, but we had to do what’s right for the industry and what’s right for E3. We appreciate and understand that interested companies wouldn’t have playable demos ready and that resourcing challenges made being at E3 this summer an obstacle they couldn’t overcome. For those who did commit to E3 2023, we’re sorry we can’t put on the showcase you deserve and that you’ve come to expect from ReedPop’s event experiences."

The show looked increasingly unlikely to go ahead over the past week as companies like Ubisoft pulled out of the event while SEGA and Tencent confirmed they wouldn't have a presence. Another IGN report published on Tuesday spoke of much uncertainty surrounding the event, from organisers and also the publishers themselves. "Several described the situation as one where everyone was waiting for someone else to be the first to jump, but no one was willing to take the leap – and time was running out," it was claimed. This has indeed led to the expo's cancellation this year.

Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest is now left as the only major event — for both media and enthusiasts — to turn to for news and extensive gaming coverage. It's set for June, with a live event full of reveals and announcements planned.

[source ign.com]