E3 2022 officially canceled
The Entertainment Software Association will not hold any E3 event this year, instead shifting its focus to preparing for a combined physical and digital show in 2023.
The ESA had originally planned to hold E3 2022 as a digital-only event, after canceling a physical event over concerns about the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Now, however, the digital show will also not go on.
The news first broke when a Razer PR rep tweeted about the cancelation, but the ESA has since confirmed the news in a statement to IGN.
“We will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer. Whether enjoyed from the show floor or your favorite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media, and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience,” the ESA wrote in its statement. “We look forward to presenting E3 to fans around the world live from Los Angeles in 2023.”
The ESA, of course, had to cancel its 2020 E3 after the initial outbreak of COVID-19. The organization held a digital-only E3 in 2021 to a tepid response from fans and the press, which may have prompted its decision to axe this year’s expo.
That being said, even in the absence of E3 there will be a few events this summer to bring us the latest gaming news. Gamescom will host a hybrid digital-physical event in August, and Geoff Keighley has confirmed his Summer Game Fest will take place in June. One other showcase event that won’t be going forward, however, is EA’s (usually) annual EA Play Live.
