E3 2023 has been cancelled.

It was about time. E3 2023 officially canceled after several companies went crazy long ago. Just this week, Ubisoft, SEGA and Tencent announced that they would not be participating in this year’s event. So, even though the world has gradually overcome the hurdles of the pandemic, what was once the world’s most important video game show has never been able to rise.

Although ESA, the show’s organizer, has not made a public announcement about the matter, it has begun sending out emails to various partners to spread the bad news. IGN. The message mentions that E3 2023 did not attract due interest in holding. At least not in the vision they were considering. Recall that the organizers had a goal to return the glorious days of the event.

“The 2023 edition simply didn’t generate the interest needed to implement it in a way that showcases the size, strength and impact of our industry.”

WHAT.

From my side, ReedPop, the company in charge of the organization, also issued a statement explaining what happened. Obviously, they are completely disappointed that they have wasted so many months of work.

“It was a difficult decision because of all the effort we and our partners put into making this event happen, but we had to do what was right for the industry and what was right for E3.”

ReedPop.

An interesting point is that ReedPop suggests that some companies have canceled their participation in E3 2023 because they didn’t have ready demos exhibit at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Of course, they didn’t mention which ones:

“We appreciate and understand that interested companies didn’t have game demos ready and that resource issues made attending E3 this summer a hurdle they couldn’t overcome. For those who attended E3 2023, we’re sorry we weren’t able to deliver the presentation you deserve and expect from ReedPop events.”

ReedPop.

The big question that remains in the air is: what will happen to the next editions? apart from surprise it doesn’t look like the exhibitors intend to return to E3 in the next few years. For example, it’s clear for PlayStation and Xbox that they want to host their own events or partner with Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest. The latter, in fact, is still ongoing and promises to be the great – and only – summer show in the video game industry.

Definitely, The final nail in the coffin of E3 2023 was driven by Nintendo. Those from Kyoto have been ESA’s closest partner for many years. However, even these close relationships were not enough to prevent his departure.