Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), once synonymous with big game announcements, will return as a physical event this June. However, major gambling companies are reportedly planning to skip the exhibition. Consoles major Nintendo has confirmed it won’t be attending E3 2023, according to a report in IGN.
The Japan-based games company explained, “We take our involvement in each event on a case-by-case basis and are always considering different ways to engage with our fans… Since this year’s E3 show didn’t fit into our plans, we have made the decision not to participate. However, we have been and continue to be a strong supporter of ESA and E3.”
E3 returns as a physical event for the first time since the pandemic
E3 last took place as a physical event in 2019. This was also the year that E3 had its first major absence, as Sony decided not to attend the event after years of involvement.
Due to concerns related to the pandemic, the event was canceled twice, first in 2020 and then in 2022. In between, E3 2021 was organized as a digital event and briefly renamed the Electronic Entertainment Experience.
For the first time in 4 years, E3 will return as a physical exhibition on June 13-16, 2023. The event returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, USA
Sony and Xbox could follow suit and skip E3
The source had previously reported that alongside Nintendo, console giants Sony and Xbox will also not be attending E3. While Sony hasn’t confirmed anything yet, its absence from E3 since 2019 doesn’t signal a change of heart this time around. On the other hand, the source has mentioned that Xbox will organize its own event instead of going to E3.
Why gaming companies prefer hosted events
Over the years we’ve seen major gaming companies including Sony, Xbox, Nintendo and Ubisoft prefer to make major announcements through self-hosted events such as PlayStation State of Play, Xbox Developer Direct, Nintendo Direct and Ubisoft Forward.
Not only does this approach allow companies to unveil new projects on their own terms, but it also gives them more time since they don’t have to rush to release trailers and demos for a specific third-party event.
That doesn’t mean gaming companies are completely done with attending third-party events, however, as events like The Game Awards and Gamescom continue to draw interest from certain developers.
