"Game over" for video game fair E3
E3 is the most important event for the industry and video game fans to keep up to date with new releases. Now it is being discontinued. The reason is a change in the industry.
The once most important video games trade fair E3, short for Electronic Entertainment Expo, is finally a thing of the past. All attempts to revive the event in Los Angeles after the coronavirus break have failed in recent years - mainly because providers are focusing on their own events. As a result, the US industry organization ESA (Entertainment Software Association) announced the end of E3.
"After more than two decades with E3 - each bigger than the last - it is now time to say goodbye. Thank you for the good times," ESA CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis told the Washington Post. E3 was once considered the most visited trade fair for computer games. A relaunch was originally planned for 2025, but the ESA ended its collaboration with designated event partner ReedPop back in September.
Industry in transition
"We know it's difficult to say goodbye to such a popular event, but it's the right decision given the new opportunities our industry has to reach fans and partners," says Pierre-Louis. These include online video conferencing, which allows the public to receive information directly from the games companies. This eliminates stand fees, travel and presentation deadlines for the companies.
The conferences include Nintendo Direct, Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase and Sony's Showcase. They caused interest in the classic trade fair concept to level off. The trend intensified during the coronavirus pandemic. There are also competitors such as Gamescom and the Game Awards.
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Despite the closure of E3, the excitement for new video game releases and industry updates remains vast. Many game developers are now showcasing their latest titles through digital conferences such as Nintendo Direct, Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase, and Sony's Showcase, offering a more direct and cost-effective approach.
With the shift in the industry towards online events, traditional video game fairs like E3 are becoming less prevalent. Replacing them are alternatives like Gamescom and the Game Awards, further lessening the need for physical events like E3.
Source: www.ntv.de
