The Big Update – 9:38 PM IST
The ESA has officially confirmed the cancellation of E3 2020. Here’s what they said –
“After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors, and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.
Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.
We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3Expo.com.
We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media, and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.”
Xbox Head, Phil Spencer addressed the situation and informed us about an Xbox digital event. He said they’ll drop the details in the coming weeks.
Even Ubisoft has addressed the issue and in collaboration with ESA, the company is exploring options for a digital event.
Jason Schreier also talks about Warner Bros. Games, a new Batman game and the heavily-leaked Harry Potter game –
This year, a newcomer planned to enter the field. Warner Bros. Games was preparing to host an E3 press conference for the first time, according to three people familiar with the publisher’s plans. There, WB Games had planned to talk about a number of much-anticipated games including a new Batman, a Harry Potter game that had leaked in 2018, and the next game from Arkham developers Rocksteady Studios. It remains to be seen whether Warner Bros. will instead hold its own digital event or do something else entirely.
2:50 AM IST
Bloomberg writes, “The cancellation is planned to be announced at 9:30 am Los Angeles time on March 11 by the Entertainment Software Association, according to a person familiar with the matter.”
10:52 AM IST
“Heard from two people that E3 cancellation will be announced tomorrow AM (both secondhand), and one person w/ ESA ties who insists that it won’t be,” Jason tweeted. “Normally I sit on conflicting info until I sort out what’s true, but with E3 rumors now everywhere, figured I’d be transparent here.”
“But, again, whether or not it’s announced tomorrow morning, it’s only a matter of time before E3 is officially cancelled. Publishers can’t afford to wait much longer to make their plans, and all signs point to the virus getting way worse in the U.S. before it gets better.”
8:13 AM IST
Imran Khan writes, “I am betting their official wording is ‘postponed’ to an indefinite date, but I imagine that’s just mumbling to avoid saying cancelled.”
Update: 7:38 AM IST (24 minutes after initial publishing)
ARS Technica publishes an article, “E3 has pulled out of E3 2020”, where they mention that multiple sources familiar with the ESA have confirmed that E3 2020 will be cancelled. Apparently, ARS Technica got the tip before Devolver Digita’s tweet.
Multiple reports are indicating that the Entertainment Software Association, ESA, might cancel this year’s E3 over coronavirus concerns.
“Cancel your E3 flights and hotels, y’all”, writes Devolver Digital on Twitter. A few minutes later, Video game journalist Mike Futter wrote about the issue as well. Multiple sources told him that E3 cancellation announcement is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
“Cancel your plans”, he wrote.
One of the industry’s well-known names, Wario64, tweeted, “Word is [an] official announcement coming soon”.
Limited Run Games owner Josh Fairhurst notes that the ESA “just opened hotel booking today for exhibitors.” He writes, “I think it would be pretty reactionary to cancel this early”. To this, Mike Futter replied, “Don’t book tonight”.
Renowned journalist Jason Schreier had his thoughts on the situation as well. He writes, “Been hearing secondhand whispers tonight from several devs/pubs that E3 is cancelled, although I’ve also heard from a couple of people in positions to know that the ESA hasn’t officially made a decision yet and is still consulting with pubs. Either way, it’s only a matter of time.”
Mastiff Games’ marketing and PR person, David Bruno’s tweet indicates otherwise. “Oddly enough I received an email from one of E3’s sales managers yesterday saying that they were moving forward with the show”, he writes.
Senior reporter at Waypoint, Patrick Klepek, notes, “The term “cancelled” maybe be nebulous. We’ll see.”
What are your thoughts on the situation? Will E3 2020 be cancelled/postponed? Let us know in the comments below.
I’ll be updating the article as new information emerges. Subscribe to our push-notifications to stay informed. Until next time, Happy Gaming!