Following a year off in 2020 due to restrictions brought about by COVID-19, E3 is back in 2021 in all-digital form with four days of streams, conferences, reveals — all the things you'd expect from the Electronic Entertainment Expo, only this year as an online event rather than the traditional exposition in Los Angeles.
Nintendo is in attendance, along with various other big-name publishers, so there is sure to be some juicy news revealed this June, whether you're a die-hard Switch devotee or you dabble in the Xbox and PC pool, too.
Below we've collected all the details of this year's E3, including dates, conference times and how you go about participating in E3 2021. This guide will be updated as and when new information comes to light, so be sure to check back for more info as we get it.
When is E3 2021?
E3 2021 is running over four days, from Saturday 12th June to Tuesday 15th June 2021.
The event was cancelled last year, but it seems there's plenty of enthusiasm to see E3 return.
E3 2021 Conference Times
You can expect to see large conference-style presentations from all the big names showcasing upcoming titles, including Nintendo on Tuesday 15th June:
Event | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
Take-Two Interactive, Mythical Games, Freedom Games | 14th June | 10:15am Pacific / 1:15pm Eastern / 6:15pm UK / 7:15pm CEST |
Capcom | 14th June | 2:30pm Pacific / 5:30pm Eastern / 10:30pm BST / 11:30pm CEST |
Nintendo Direct + Treehouse | 15th June | 9am Pacific / Noon Eastern / 5pm UK / 6pm CEST |
BANDAI NAMCO, Yooreka Games | 15th June | 2:25pm Pacific / 5:25pm Eastern / 10:25pm BST / 11:25pm CEST |
Official E3 2021 Awards Show | 15th June | 4:45pm Pacific / 7:45pm Eastern / 12:45am (16th June) UK / 1:45am (16th June) CEST |
Who's attending E3 2021?
A host of game publishers have committed to attending E3 in some form, although how exactly they're contributing hasn't been announced just yet. We'll update with more information as it's announced, but the current list of publishers attending the show is looking good for starters...
Game Publishers Attending E3 2021
Here is the list of all confirmed publishers attending E3 2021:
- Nintendo
- Xbox
- Capcom
- Ubisoft
- Take-Two Interactive
- Warner Bros. Games
- Koch Media
- Square Enix
- Activision
- SEGA
- Bandai Namco
- XSEED Games/Marvelous USA
- Gearbox Entertainment
- Freedom Games
How to watch E3 2021
There is an official E3 'online portal' available for viewers to watch the conferences and show, in addition to a 'supporting mobile app'.
You'll also be able to watch E3 on 'other major video platforms' — which will include YouTube, Twitch and other big-name video sites.
What exactly is the E3 2021 'Portal'?
The E3 Portal, accessible via a browser or bespoke app, enables users to follow certain publishers, add friends also using the add, check calendars, gain points and 'badges' by watching videos and fulfilling other criteria, and various other things.
As of 3rd June, the portal has been open to fan registration. It appears that all streams from the major publishers will be appearing in all the usual places, though, so the 'point' of the portal/app is presumably to access everything in one convenient place rather than provide exclusive content.
The app is also lightly gamified — users can also complete various tasks and gain points to climb a table and compete for... er, prestige? Bragging rights? We have to be honest, it's not the most dynamic, interesting or user-friendly 'portal' we've ever seen. 'People' and 'Friends' cannot be sorted other than in ascending alphabetical order at the time of writing, for example.
We've also had trouble accessing the E3 Portal, possibly due to the number of people attempting to log on. Ultimately, it seems that you won't be missing out on much if you simply tune in to the publisher broadcasts on your preferred streaming platform.
Do I have to pay for E3 2021?
No. Although plans to charge for some sort of access or pass were reportedly being considered, no part of E3 2021 will be behind a paywall. To quote the ESA directly, "E3 will be completely free for all attendees and there will not be a paywall."
What is E3?
E3 began life as an industry-only event in 1995 and has traditionally provided a platform for developers, publishers and platform holders to showcase new titles and hardware to a wide audience, including mainstream media outlets, as well as the specialist games press.
In addition, the event traditionally acts as a networking hub for developers to conduct business and take face-to-face meetings. In recent years, the ESA (the Entertainment Software Agency — the organisation who runs E3) has opened up the show floor to the public, charging for entrance to get a look at upcoming games and enjoy the atmosphere firsthand.
What does E3 stand for?
The three 'E's in E3 stand for the Electronic Entertainment Expo... except that it's been renamed in 2021. Instead, say hello to the Electronic Entertainment Experience!
We'll have to wait and see if the new name sticks next year when — fingers crossed — E3 returns to being an in-person event.
Further reading:
- Here's How E3 2021's Online Portal And App Will Work, Including Its Virtual Exhibitor Booths
- Feature: Our Predictions For Nintendo's E3 2021 Direct
- Summer Game Fest: Dates, Conference Times, How To Watch, Everything You Need To Know
Let us know below if you've got any other questions and we'll endeavour to update this guide with answers. Otherwise, let us know if you're excited for E3 2021 below.
[source e3expo.com]
Comments 42
This is where the New Nintendo console will be unveiled.
YESSSS. Can't wait to see what Ninty's been cooking up!
Should I stream a live reaction to E3? Just Nintendo, though. I'm kinda tired of people raving about XBox.
Didn't Xbox and Bethesda announce their conference? Why isn't it on the guide? I plan to use this during E3 to keep up so it be helpful.
I'm prepared for the sublime disappointment.
Wait is the Geoff Keighley thing not part of E3? I thought that was gonna have game announcements?
I really hope that everyone delivers this E3. Last one was a disaster because of ***** COVID-19. I can't wait until these times get better. But until this happens, I need games to make me happy!
Games are my happy place! Games good! No need new switch. Me Grimlock want games!
I dub this week "the week of moderating expectations"
How many times will people need to be told :
There 👏🏼 Won’t 👏🏼 Be 👏🏼 A 👏🏼 Switch 👏🏼 Pro 👏🏼 at 👏🏼 E3
And if Nintendo would announce it later in Summer, it sure won’t release in 2021, otherwise Nintendo would shoot themselves in the leg
Only one I really care about is on June 15th. The others are fine, but I rarely watch E3 for them.
And since I have learned to temper my expectations a very long time ago, I doubt I will be disappointed.
"Keep your expectations low boy and you'll never be disappointed."
Kratos-God of war 2018
Well at yhe very least we know super smash bros will be at E3. Who do you all think will be revealed as the next fighter for Smash Bros?
I hope Bethesda reveals Starfield.
So to confirm, June 15 is when remakes, ports, micro transactions, and more eshop garbage are announced for Switch.
@15roundTKO You left out "metroidvania".
@AvianBlue Hm. No idea. Maybe a third-party character, who turns out to be not as fun as you'll think, or maybe if they reveal a SECOND, and Final character, Tabuu from Brawl.
40 minutes isn't long enough to talk about new hardware and a whole bunch of software. Do not expect Switch Pro, if it even exists...
"The three 'E's in E3 stand for the Electronic Entertainment Expo... except that it's been renamed in 2021 — instead, say hello to the Electronic Entertainment Experience! We'll have to wait and see if the new name sticks next year when — fingers crossed — it returns to being an in-person event."
(imagines the "new name" being used only for promotional purposes by organizers of a future "Electronic Entertainment Expo")
I'll probably watch Square's and Nintendo's, and I'm ready to be disappointed. In all my 30 years I've never learned to lower expectations
@Magician same.
Would love to see some really unexpected games (I think I say this every E3).
Star Fox
F-Zero
A Fire Emblem remake or remaster, really want Fire Emblem Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn
And yes I know none of these will be there
The ones that interest me are, Ubisoft, Xbox/Bethesda and Nintendo.
Remember to keep your expectations in check, everyone....even though hundreds will cry about it either way.
@zool They already confirmed the direct is "Software" only.
@VoidofLight since when do you believe what Nintendo say?
@zool I believe what Nintendo says if they set expectations for a direct. You can live in denial all you want, but this is going to be primarily focused on Software. They normally would've mentioned hardware if they had hardware to show off.
Yes, I'm aware Nintendo also says things like "Primarily games in 2021", only to show some games in 2022, but the wording "Primarily" usually means it's mostly 2021 releases with a few 2022 titles.
@VoidofLight Nintendo could say there is software and hardware news and just remove any surprise announcement they may have. Or they plan to have the hardware announcement before E3.
One thing is for sure, BotW 2 has not been built just to run on a five year old machine. So if there is not a new Switch on the horizon there will not be a BotW 2.
@zool BotW was built to run on a Wii U. BotW 2 uses the same engine, and is built for the switch in mind. There's no reason it shouldn't be able to run on a normal switch.
Also, Nintendo's wording is important. If they say something like "Exclusively" it literally means there's nothing else but software for the normal switch console. "Mostly 2021" means that there's wiggle room for software releasing in other years as well. You can get your hopes up all you want, but I'm telling you right now that you'll end up disappointed in the end when they don't reveal the Switch Pro at e3. They've already confirmed they aren't revealing hardware.
@VoidofLight yes BotW was built to run on the Switch and could also run a slightly poorer Wii U version. Nintendo also said it made compromises to the game so that it would run better on the Switch. For example, they changed the colour palette to the more bland one we have now.
And three times Nintendo gave us a release month for BotW and as that date got nearer the game was put back until the Switch was launched. So Nintendo do say one thing today and change thing down the road.
We could have a big reveal for BotW as the Christmas game only to find that come October in it's being pushed back until Easter 2022. So E3 this year looks good and we get an apology when it's delayed.
And where are all the new 4k games coming from? Developers have made them already and are waiting to tell us about them, but they can't until the new Switch is revealed.
So without the new hardware and the 4k games Nintendo E3 is looking quite avarage.
@zool One, BotW was built for the Wii U, and effectively ported to switch. This is the reason as to why there's no HD rumble, or switch exclusive features in the game.
Two, The game only released on switch because Nintendo was jumping ship from the Wii U, which was a critical failure of a console. It wouldn't make sense to do it again in the peak of one of their most successful consoles ever made.
Three, I'm not denying the possibility of a switch revision coming in the future.. but I doubt it'll be this year or at e3. Nintendo again, set the expectations for what they're showing at the e3 show this year, and they're not "lying" like you claim they are. E3 will be average to you if they don't reveal the console, but only to you as you have your expectations set waaay too high. They don't have to reveal hardware of 4K games to have a good e3, they just have to reveal good games.
And where does Sega fit into the schedule?
@VoidofLight the Switch maybe popular as the best handheld console now that the 3ds has been retired, but it is certainly not a great home console anymore. With limited Nintendo games being released and decent but old third party games having to be downgraded to run half decently on the Switch, says everything.
The Switch has just about peaked. If Nintendo don't announce the new machine then it's because they don't have any games ready for it.
@zool I don’t get why I’m arguing with you, you obviously are going to get hyped up on a console reveal that’s never going to happen, then blame Nintendo for promising something they never promised in the first place..
Ready for whatever is behind the curtain!!
@VoidofLight ...that is a very revealing reply.
You don't know why you are arguing, yet 'you' replied to me. And I thought this was a discussion. But never mind.
Two points,
1. What Nintendo say and what they eventually do are completely separate; there are plenty of examples of this over the years. Business decisions over rule promises to fans, I guess.
2. I don't know where you get your Nintendo information from, me I get it from sites like NL. And I know much of what is said is speculative but I believe there is a new Switch ready to go into production and with games ready to play. (I think is was ready last year with a new Mario game but Covid got in the way).
Looking at the Logic, which many reviewers have expressed, that third party developers will have 4k games ready for a new console but can't announce them until the console is announced.
Mario Golf looks ok on the Switch. BotW 2 needs to look and play a lot better than BotW 1 and it needs the new console. So without some hint about the new Switch at E3, the Direct will at best be a let down, a year like last year.
Many of these collide with my busy football watching and drinking schedule of the weekend.
@zool Switch is still a great home console. Put the pipe down.
@bluebonics so is the 3ds but things need to keep up and move up.
i hoping Nintendo E3 2021 Direct surpass E3 2013( Nintendo best E3).
where is the schedule for Sega presentation, isnt Sega suposed to be at E3.
@zool the Tweet Nintendo of America said about Nintendo E3 2021 Direct stated software for 2021 and maybe 2022, Switch Pro is not gonna be anounced at E3
https://t.co/oulqM04EfP?amp=1
I don't to think Nintendo has ever referred to a new console as a 'Switch Pro'.
And if they had that would indicate that a Switch Pro is on the way and could be announced after the Direct. Either one day after, or one month or when ever after, but they would have confirmed it's imminent release.
I think the software only comment maybe true or just smoke and mirrors.
If they do confirm no hardware any time soon, then I would buy myself a PS5 instead.
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