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Update [Wed 1st Feb, 2023 03:45 GMT]: The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has now provided a statement in response to IGN’s story – saying it remains committed to E3. Here it is in full:
As you’ve probably seen, IGN published an article last night about E3. While we are unable to comment on the specific claims in the article, we wanted to share our commitment to moving forward with E3.
E3 has a rich history in our industry, and we’re always encouraged to feel the passion for the show and hear what it means to different people. Reviving a trade show after a three-year hiatus and a global pandemic has always had its challenges, which is why we conducted an extensive search (in consultation with ESA member companies) to identify the best partner for the production of E3. By choosing ReedPOP as our partner, we were able to tap into their rich history of hosting popular industry events, like PAX, and broader consumer shows, like Comic Con.
They’ve made great strides in reformatting the event and received tremendous support from industry companies of all sizes who are not only thinking about E3 2023, but also how E3 fits into marketing plans for 2024 and beyond.
It is important to note that even as the show evolves and adapts, it will not affect the essence of ESA’s work for member companies. Our priority remains advocating for your policy interests at the state and federal level.
We’ll share news and developments regarding E3 as they become available. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can contact me. Thank you for your continued support.
Original article [Tue 31st Jan, 2023 00:45 GMT]: E3 is returning as a physical event for the first time in four years in 2023, and while it was expected to be a return to form for one of the biggest showcases in the gaming calendar, it looks like it could be without the major players.
According to an “exclusive” from IGN, gaming media has been informed by “multiple knowledgeable sources” that Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox will not be joining the fun at E3 2023 and will also not have a “presence” on the show floor at the convention center. Los Angeles.
While it’s no surprise Nintendo won’t be hosting a showcase at the event, as the report noted, the Japanese company has traditionally maintained a booth at E3 year after year.
The article goes on to mention how PlayStation initially dropped out of the 2019 event due to “reported disagreements” with the ESA, and Xbox this year has already announced its own summer showcase and will presumably not have a booth at this year’s event.
In a statement last September, ReedPop said it was ready to “bring the industry back together” with the annual gaming event. Full disclosure: Nintendo Life and its sister sites Hookshot Media are partnered with ReedPop.
ReedPop gave a statement to IGN regarding its report, suggesting that talks are ongoing with “many of the biggest companies in the industry”:
E3 is such a significant event for the gaming industry, and being entrusted with an important cultural touchstone is not a responsibility that ReedPop takes lightly. Since ReedPop took over the E3 management contract six months ago, we have worked diligently with ESA members based on their feedback to create a new type of E3 that supports their goals and needs.
This process took time due to the sheer volume of stakeholders offering input, although we appreciate that we could have been more transparent about questions we were still finalizing answers to. We continue to work tirelessly to create a show that unites the global gaming industry. We believe we have created a new format for the event that serves the needs of both the industry and its fans, and we are committed to building and developing it in the coming years.
Because we’ve spent much of 2022 refining how E3 2023 will shape up, reflecting the feedback we’ve asked for, we didn’t send out a single exhibitor contract until earlier this month. We’ve received overwhelming interest and verbal commitments from many of the industry’s biggest companies, and when we’re ready to announce the exhibitors, we’re confident it will be a lineup that will make the trip to Los Angeles well worth it for the industry and consumers alike.
E3 will be held from June 13 to 16, 2023. How would you feel about an E3 event without the big 3? Leave a comment below.
[source ign.com]
When he’s not paying off a loan to Tom Nook, Liam enjoys reporting on the latest Nintendo news and admiring his video game collection. His favorite Nintendo character was a guitar-playing dog, but these days he prefers to hang out with Judd the cat.
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