Annual event Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, has officially been canceled for the year amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which has just been classified by WHO as a pandemic.
E3 2020 was scheduled to be held on June 9-11 in Los Angeles, California and draws more than 65,000 industry professionals and fans worldwide who want to see and experience what the next big games are.
The organization said that it is “exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020,” though no further details have been revealed regarding it. The organization will also start reaching out to exhibitors and attendees for refund procedures.
In light of this hiccup, many game publishers have announced plans to hold separate digital events for their loyal fans and gamers. Here’s what they had to say:
Microsoft
E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox. Given this decision, this year we’ll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the @Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks https://t.co/xckMKBPf9h
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) March 11, 2020
“E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox. Given this decision, this year we’ll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the @Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks.”
Nintendo
“Nintendo supports the ESA’s decision to cancel this year’s E3 to help protect the health and safety of everyone in our industry–our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners. We would like to express our concern and support for all those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak during this challenging time.
“We”ll continue to be flexible and redirect our efforts to other ways of keeping our fans up to date about our activities and products. Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, large industry events may be untenable for the foreseeable future. But we are considering various ways to engage with our fans and will have more to share as the year continues.”
Ubisoft
An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) March 11, 2020
“The health and well-being of our teams, players and partners is our top priority, so while we’re disappointed, we fully support the ESA’s decision to cancel E3 2020. E3 is and will continue to be a moment where we come together as a community and share our love of games. We’re exploring other options for a digital experience that will allow us to share all the exciting news we have planned.”
Electronic Arts
“We’ve continued to follow the coronavirus developments around the world very closely. Clearly the situation is evolving by the day, and we’ve been reviewing how it will change our plans for EA PLAY 2020. We will share more soon.”
Devolver Digital
The week of E3 has always been a big part of what we do and are genuinely bummed about the cancelation of the event itself.
Lots to juggle but right now we plan on having a livestream Devolver Direct / press conference and possibly more. pic.twitter.com/nGDAEsIzUs
— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) March 11, 2020
“The week of E3 has always been a big part of what we do and are genuinely bummed about the cancelation of the event itself. Lots to juggle but right now we plan on having a livestream Devolver Direct / press conference and possibly more.”
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Meanwhile, other gaming publishers like Square Enix and Bethesda have yet to reveal their plans.
What are your thoughts about this news? Sound off in the comments below.
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