With this year's traditional E3 event being cancelled, publishers are having to come up with new ways to keep fans up to date with new releases this summer. Ubisoft has committed to a new digital showcase called 'Ubisoft Forward', set to air at around the time E3 would have taken place, but others are forgoing events altogether, doing things at their own pace.
Square Enix looks to be one such example. Bloomberg tech reporter, Takashi Mochizuki, has reported that the publisher won't be holding any online event around E3's timing this year as preparing assets for such a show 'has become difficult' thanks to the global pandemic. Instead, 'it will announce new titles on [an] individual basis'.
Back in March, in response to E3 2020's cancellation, Square Enix had originally stated that it was "exploring other options" to share games with its fans, with many assuming this to mean that a Nintendo Direct-style presentation would be announced at a later date. It's a shame that we'll be missing out on the traditional E3 experience this year, but at least we can still expect to receive new game announcements as and when they're ready.
[source twitter.com, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 18
I'm starting to prefer this, that way I can focus on one game at a time, instead of buying a whole lot of games and having a backlog I'll never finish.
That stinks, I've been closely watching thiers the last couple years
This is better for the world, digital is best for the environment. I hope we do this going forward in the future.
Having publishing companies dish out news throughout the summer rather than condensing everything into one week over E3 has been nice.
Not surprising coming from Square Enix
This should be much better for developers - everyone having the same hard deadline to produce trailers etc is not necessary.
Either way we get to know when they want us to know.
I don’t understand why it’s difficult. The last two years Square Enix’s E3 reveal have as much effort as a Youtube Playlist.
@Neoguardian86 That’s what I’m wondering how hard can it be to create a Nintendo direct style presentation which is essentially trailers and a voice over.
@mesome713 yawn. Public events are (or were) part of what made life so exciting. Nothing quite like going to a special event, be it a sporting occasion, live concert or gaming convention over the years. No way would I prefer a world without those things for them love of the environment’.
@andyc777 True.But in the case of videogame announcements,its not that big of a deal.I think tournaments are the things videogame fans are missing the most.Online ones aren't the same,with no crowd.Not really an issue with trailers.
Fine with me. Spaces out the reveals
@Randomname19 I get where you’re coming from. But people still get a level of excitement and human interaction from going to gaming conventions and seeing games unveiled for the first time - it’s that sense of togetherness and being able to share with others that we’re all missing out on in 2020.
I seek an announcement of an announcement for purposes of a forthcoming announcement concerning Dragon Quest Builders 3, O mighty Square Enix. Such a thing would, of course, be content-free, but it would let us know you care.
(It might also hasten a physical release of DQB 2 - with all the DLC included this time.)
I just want Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy VI, and Chrono Trigger on Switch. That will cover me for awhile.
The Ubisoft event is schedule for a full month after E3 would have taken place.
Where has FF Crystal chronicles disappeared to? Wonder if they'll try and remake the sequels too.
In the year of 2020, why do these companies throw their money at trade show booths, promotional swag and virtual keynote speeches?
Youtube is free, yo.
There are no business to business orders being placed at E3. There’s nothing instructional to demonstrate to an end user. Attendees aren’t there to meet new collaborative partners. It’s nothing more than expensive publicity masquerading as a trade show. This year everyone is hoping for thirty minute long trailer montages. But why? It’s all so silly.
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