E3 is dead

It’s official: E3 is definitely dead. In a short statement posted on the account on X (Twitter)The European Space Agency has confirmed that what was once the world’s largest video game event has been permanently cancelled.

“After more than two decades of E3, each one longer than the last, it’s time to say goodbye. Thank you for the memories,” reads a brief message posted a few minutes ago. The official website has also been updated to include the same note on the cover.

That’s what the organizers decided end the agony which E3 suffered from for several years. As a reminder, the event was expected to return this year, but the 2023 event was finally canceled after the loss of the last major exhibitors remaining on the roster.

Although no further comments were provided on the official E3 platforms, the ESA President said: Stanley Pierre-Louishe spoke about this with Washington Post. The manager admitted that although it was painful to give up organizing the event, It was the right decision.

“We know that the entire industry, both gamers and creators, is very passionate about E3. We share this passion. We know it’s difficult to say goodbye to such a beloved event, but it’s the right thing to do given the new opportunities in our industry. must reach fans and partners,” he said.

On the other hand, Pierre-Louis emphasized that large companies now have their own ways of going public. Something that, although it gained particular relevance during the pandemic, has persisted over time. “Companies now have access to consumers and business relationships through a variety of means, including their own customized events,” he said.

E3 says goodbye forever

E3’s death is far from surprising. The event had been in absolute decline for several years, but despite its problems, it always seemed to have some extra life left in it. However, the cancellation of the 2022 and 2023 editions was a slap in the face that could not be shaken off.

The heaviest blow was probably this year, as the organization lost its last remaining significant members. PlayStation had already jumped ship before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Xbox and Nintendo also recently decided to leave.

The biggest blow, though, was the departure of Ubisoft, SEGA and Tencent, the last three industry heavyweights still betting on E3. Such was the uncertainty following the cancellation of this year’s event that even ESA did not know whether the conditions were in place for a return attempt in 2024. Now it’s really clear that this won’t happen.

To all this we must add that ESA, the owner of the event, severed its relationship with ReedPop in September last year. This company was supposed to organize E3 from 2022, but was unable to do anything. And we shouldn’t forget that the tanks of the video game industry have decided to team up with Geoff Keighley, the organizer Summer Games Festivalfinally turning away from the historic event organized annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, California.