Initially, there was a wave of excitement among major game companies about participating in E3 2023. They were discussing occupying large spaces, and the E3 team was exploring expansion options, including utilizing the car park and other areas that had been unused for years. ReedPop, the event’s organizer, had even announced in February that the event was “full steam ahead.” However, as the event drew closer, contracts remained unsigned, and the enthusiasm waned.
Several reasons were cited by companies like Ubisoft, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo for their withdrawal from the event:
- “Our games aren’t ready”
- “We don’t have code”
- “We can’t be seen to be extravagant in this economy”
- “The timing isn’t quite right”
Despite the cancellation of E3 2023, the gaming community can still look forward to other major events in June, such as Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest and various publisher-led announcement livestreams. Additionally, the 2023 PC Gaming Show and the multiplatform Future Games Show are set to proceed as planned.
ReedPop has faced criticism for moving slower than expected and possibly needing a different communication strategy. However, the issue wasn’t solely about E3’s failure to evolve. The proposed format for E3 2023 included separate business and consumer components, improved amenities, and a stronger digital presence, but ultimately, the industry’s support waned.
| Event Organizer | ReedPop |
| Event Status | Cancelled |
Looking back, perhaps a more radical transformation of E3 was necessary, with a greater emphasis on digital and a physical show focused on the business aspect, independent of large booths. The Entertainment Software Association still owns E3, and its future depends on whether the industry desires its return, possibly in a year when new console hardware is announced.
While some believe E3 may not recover from this setback, history shows it has bounced back before, as seen after the scaled-back events of 2007 and 2008. The industry’s biggest week for video game announcements will continue in June, albeit in a different format.
