E3 2023 is not happening (again)

The supposed return of in-person Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2023 is scheduled this June. Unfortunately, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today that the show—both physical and digital events—has been called off.

This is what E3 landing page looks like

This news came after multiple gaming giants from Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft pulled off their participation and will instead opt to host their own digital showcases.

According to IGN, two sources confirmed that ESA had informed its members about the cancellation via email.

The email stated that E3 2023 “simply did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry.”

ESA also issued a public statement from Global VP of Gaming at ReedPop Kyle Marsden-Kish saying that despite the effort put into making the event happen, the decision to cancel E3 2023 was made with the industry and E3’s best interests in mind.

They acknowledged that interested companies were unable to produce playable demos, and resourcing challenges posed an obstacle.

The organizers apologized to those who had committed to E3 2023 and expressed regret that they couldn’t provide the expected showcase experience.

The statement also adds that ReedPop—the show organizer—and the ESA will work together on ‘future E3 events’.

E3 2023 is supposedly scheduled from June 13th to 16th at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The last in-person event was in 2019, while in 2020, the show was canceled due to the pandemic, and again in 2022. Although they had a digital event in 2021.

In January, IGN reported that Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony would not participate in the E3 event. Both Nintendo and Microsoft later confirmed their absence.

During a February earnings call, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot hinted that E3 might be cancelled, but ReedPop confirmed to The Verge that the event would still take place.

However, Ubisoft later withdrew its attendance, and in March, IGN reported that Sega and Tencent would also not attend.