E3 2022 is officially canceled. Shortly after several sources claimed the digital event wouldn’t be taking place, the ESA released a statement confirming the news. Given the shaky status of the event over the last few years, many fans are speculating that the future of E3 is unsure. However, the ESA’s statement contains assurances that E3 2023 is in the works.
Why is E3 2022 canceled, and will there be an E3 2023?
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, E3 2020 was canceled entirely, and E3 2021 was a digital-only event. As the economy reopened and concerns about COVID dwindled, many assumed that E3 2022 would be held in-person, but the event was moved to online-only in January.
The ESA’s statement (via Stephen Totilo) claims that it’s canceling E3 2022 to devote its resources to revitalizing the show:
“E3 will return in 2023 with a reinvigorated showcase that celebrates new and exciting video games and industry innovations.
We previously announced that E3 would not be held in person in 2022 due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19. Today, we announce that there will also be no digital E3 showcase in 2022.
Instead, 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.
We look forward to presenting E3 to fans around the world live from Los Angeles in 2023″
Over the last few years, more and more companies have opted to decline to participate in E3 and instead hold their own showcases. Bethesda (before the Microsoft buyout), Microsoft, EA, and PlayStation are all big names that have been missing from the E3 lineup.
Opinion: E3 needs to go back to its roots
Jason writes: What the ESA is doing to “revitalize” the experience is anyone’s guess. I can only imagine it’ll lean further into becoming a public and community event, which makes it just like any other show. E3 needs to go back to its roots as an industry-only event. All the fun of the show used to be seeing each publication’s coverage and their unique way of disseminating the news about the latest and greatest games. Now, it’s just everyone watching the same presentations, writing the same articles. E3 lost its mystique, and it’s just another collection of trailers and talking heads without it.