E3 has been officially canceled over concerns about the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. This marks the biggest impact on a video game show this year as a result of public health concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The Entertainment Software Association is now exploring the possibility of an ‘online experience’ to replace the show.
A statement from the ESA reads: “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.”
Both attendees and exhibitors will be contacted about “full refunds”. The ESA also confirmed that it was “exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020.”
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The statement ends with the ESA saying, “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.”
IGN heard from a number of sources yesterday that the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) would officially announce be announcing of the cancellation. However, companies like Devolver Digital publicly tweeted to followers that they should cancel plans for E3 prior to the official announcement, implying the news was imminent.
E3 follows the Game Developers Conference, Taipei Game Show, and South by Southwest as another major show that’s been impacted by COVID-19, and is a blow to the video game industry in an important year. The ESA previously stated that E3 would be progressing at “full speed” despite a state of emergency enacted by the city of Los Angeles, California.
Other game conferences this year have also been postponed or canceled due to concerns over COVID-19. In the lead-up to this year’s Game Developers Conference, attendees like Sony, Microsoft, Facebook, and more announced they would be dropping out of the show to protect their employees. The organizers would later announce the whole show would be postponed.
A similar chain of events happened to the annual music and arts festival SXSW, which saw a string of dropouts before the event was ultimately shut down by the city of Austin, Texas.
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Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.
Source: IGN.com E3 Officially Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns