Welp, E3 2023 has been put on ice…again.
IGN broke the news that two sources confirmed with the website that the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) is canceling this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo.
The sad news comes after multiple video game companies like Ubisoft, Sega, and Tencent pulled out of the event, giving the gaming industry and gamers the vibe that E3 2023 was not happening.
Per IGN:
Two sources have confirmed to IGN that the organization announced the cancellation via an email sent out to its members today. The email said that while E3 “remains a beloved event and brand,” that the 2023 version “simply did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry.”
The ESA concludes the email by reiterating its commitment to advocacy work. It does not mention undertaking the show again in future years.
The ESA did confirm IGN’s reporting with a statement from Kyle Marsden-Kish, Global VP of Gaming, ReedPop:
This was a difficult decision because of all the effort we and our partners put toward making this event happen, but we had to do what’s right for the industry and what’s right for E3. We appreciate and understand that interested companies wouldn’t have playable demos ready and that resourcing challenges made being at E3 this summer an obstacle they couldn’t overcome. For those who did commit to E3 2023, we’re sorry we can’t put on the showcase you deserve and that you’ve come to expect from ReedPop’s event experiences.
The statement also claims that ReedPop and the ESA will continue to work on “future E3 events.” We shall see about that.
Twitter Says RIP To E3
Reactions to the news immediately began to hit Twitter timelines, with some users congratulating Summer Game Fest’s creator Geoff Keighley for officially owning the summer.
E3 CANCELLED!@geoffkeighley WINS! pic.twitter.com/WN1qwEYtQR
— Greg Miller (@GameOverGreggy) March 30, 2023
Keighley didn’t waste any time plugging his event after the news broke about E3 2023.
Join together to celebrate what’s next in video games.@SummerGameFest returns live Thursday, June 8, streaming live everywhere. pic.twitter.com/oKOWr37Jb2
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) March 30, 2023
RIP E3 became a trending topic immediately, with gamers and members of video game media sharing fond memories of past E3 conventions.
You can see those tweets in the gallery below.
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Photo: ESA / E3 2023
1. Yup
E3 ain't coming back after this. End of an era. Sad times. RIP to a real one. https://t.co/lZt7NpP8qt
— Skill Up (@SkillUpYT) March 30, 2023
2.
E3 2023 has been cancelled, RIP E3 I guess
It's kinda become obsolete in recent years but I have so many fond memories of E3 over the years, it always felt like Christmas in June 🙁
I really hope it doesn't fully die, but it ain't looking good pic.twitter.com/Rg9M0zFseq
— Luc // HiddenXperia (@HiddenXperia) March 30, 2023
3. Classic
RIP E3
This video lives rent free in my head#LegendOfZelda #TwilightPrincess #Nintendo pic.twitter.com/i8J1U6DHv8— Jo-Z Lords (@childofacid) March 30, 2023
4. Yup
RIP E3, final nail in the coffin. https://t.co/ssCv4x20ea
— YongYea (@YongYea) March 30, 2023
5. Interesting
RIP E3, I'll never forget watching Rae Sremmurd perform on a giant Doritos themed arcade cabinet stage – and changing their lyrics to be about Doritos pic.twitter.com/TY6mzd0Ym4
— Spencer Rothbell (@srothbell) March 30, 2023
6.
RIP E3 pic.twitter.com/QPCcdJx6TS
— The Artist formally known as Bruce Jones (@Locke_PSB) March 30, 2023
7.
rip E3 pic.twitter.com/oO0PVjBTcI
— jake 𓆏 (@Baronduki) March 30, 2023
8.
RIP E3 pic.twitter.com/kKlWFgeIl8
— Retro Gamer Art (@RetroGamerArt) March 30, 2023
9.
Damn. RIP E3. pic.twitter.com/RkZcn01cwP
— B E A N Z (@PhotosByBeanz) March 30, 2023
10.
Rip E3 end of an erapic.twitter.com/AmMsMIu3VF
— Epic Legend Quest (@EpicLegendQuest) March 30, 2023
11.
E3 is now canceled because we made fun of Sony’s flute man. RIP E3 pic.twitter.com/mIk81mxLCY
— Redneck Demon Slayer (kevin brdi) (@YeeHashira) March 30, 2023
12.
RIP E3 you where breath taking! #E32023 #RIPE3 #E3dead pic.twitter.com/hKXWqWtAP7
— X Marks The Box : An Xbox Podcast (@XMarksBox) March 30, 2023
13.
RIP E3, the one video game press event I've been wanting to attend ever since the start of my career but never will now. pic.twitter.com/eb7KPo9azk
— Cristina Alexander (@SonicPrincess15) March 30, 2023
14.
Here's 15-year old me at the first-ever E3 in 1995.
E3 meant so much to me and to so many of you too.
Four years ago, I realized that E3 wasn't evolving as it needed to compete in a global, digital world. So we started building what’s next. See at @summergamefest June 8. pic.twitter.com/wSZqpz3wjY
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) March 30, 2023
15.
rip e3 throwback to that time i leaked @VancityReynolds as Detective Pikachu, investigating a murder@SeanHinz @burnie #RTE3 https://t.co/7KiXTZtboU pic.twitter.com/j26PQ5AXg1
— Peter Hayes (@AtPeterHayes) March 30, 2023
16.
RIP e3 pic.twitter.com/txT2DJAlSG
— Mr. Sandman (@MisterManSandy) March 30, 2023
The post HHW Gaming: E3 2023 Has Been Canceled, Gamers Say RIP To The Iconic Gaming Convention appeared first on The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired.