Competition too strong
“Game over” for video game fair E3
December 12, 2023, 5:53 p.m
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For the industry and video game fans, E3 is the most important event to stay up to date with new releases. Now it is being discontinued. The reason is a change in the industry.
The once most important video game trade fair E3, short for Electronic Entertainment Expo, is finally a thing of the past. All attempts to revive the event in Los Angeles after the Corona break have failed in recent years – mainly because the providers rely on their own events. As a result, the US industry organization ESA (Entertainment Software Association) as the organizer announced the end of E3.
“After more than two decades with the E3 – one bigger than the other – it is now time to say goodbye. Thank you for the wonderful time,” ESA boss Stanley Pierre-Louis told the Washington Post. The E3 was once considered the most visited trade fair for computer games. A relaunch was originally planned for 2025, but the ESA ended its collaboration with the designated event partner ReedPop in September.
Industry in transition
“We know it is difficult to say goodbye to such a popular event, but it is the right decision given the new opportunities our industry has to reach fans and partners,” said Pierre-Louis. This primarily includes online video conferences through which the audience can receive information directly from the gaming companies. This means that companies no longer have to pay stand fees, travel and deadlines for presentations.
The conferences include Nintendo Direct, Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase and Sony’s Showcase. They caused interest in the classic trade fair concept to wane. The trend was intensified during the corona pandemic. There are also competitors such as Gamescom, but also the Game Awards.