With last year’s E3 2020 cancelled due to COVID, the organisers have decided to take this year’s Entertainment Expo and run it as a ‘reimagined, all-virtual’ event.
Running from June 12th to 15th, E3 2021 has been confirmed to feature Nintendo, Xbox, Konami, Capcom, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive, Warner Bros. and Koch Media—but no sign of Sony or Electronic Arts, both of whom haven’t officially been part of the E3 event for years. With the lack of a physical event to draw the crowds, no doubt these two companies will present their own online showcases instead.
The virtual E3 2021 event will give the game developers and publishers a way to show off their new games to an attentive audience of fans. Hopefully, the organisers will find a way to make the weekend engaging and interactive, making it more than simply a four-day roll of YouTube-like game demonstrations.
The president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, Stanley Pierre-Louis, had this to say:
‘We are evolving this year’s E3 into a more inclusive event but will still look to excite the fans with major reveals and insider opportunities that make this event the indispensable centre stage for video games.’
E3 2021 will be free to join and open to everyone, so no need to worry about a ticket—just put the dates in the diary.
Plans for next years E3 2022 are still to hold an in-person festival, with the pandemic hopefully calmed down enough to allow for events like the good ol’ days.
