E3, Once the Pillar for Video Game Trade Events, is No More

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is no more, as the trade event was officially cancelled for good by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).

"After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye. Thanks for the memories. GGWP," the ESA said in an announcement on social media. E3 originally began in 1995, but a changing landscape and challenging factors of the past frew years have led to the end of the trade event so many gamers looked forward to on their calendars for years.

Stanley Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of the ESA, stated in an interview with The Washington Post: "There were fans who were invited to attend in the later years, but it really was about a marketing and business model for the industry and being able to provide the world with information about new products."

E3 is Cancelled, This Time Forever

E3 was a focal point for gamers each summer. The events were traditionally headlined by press conferences from the three major console developers (Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft), publishers such as Bethesda and Ubisoft and more. It was a time to look forward to big reveals whether that included hardware, software, or something completely new.

E3 2023 was going to be the first in-person event since 2019, though this year's iteration was cancelled. Both the 2020 and 2022 events were cancelled as well, the former because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the latter in an effort by the ESA to revamp what E3 offered as a showcase. The 2021 event was a digital version that was closed off to fans.

"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 opportunies our industry has to reach fans and partners," Pierre-Louis said to The Washington Post.

Other gaming events have stepped into the spotlight, notably Geoff Keighley's Summer Games Fest and The Game Awards. For gamers, young and old, this is truly the end of an era.