RIP E3
Image: ESA

[Update: Thu 31st Mar, 2022 21:00 BST]

The ESA has provided an official statement to IGN, as reported by Rebekah Valentine:

"We will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer.

Whether enjoyed from the show floor or your favorite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media, and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience. We look forward to presenting E3 to fans around the world live from Los Angeles in 2023."

[Original: Thu 31st Mar, 2022 20:15 BST]

It's not hugely surprising, but it seems like E3 is cancelled this year for good. Not just cancelled as in "we'll do it digital instead", but cancelled cancelled, as in, "no E3 this year at all".


E3 never specifically announced a digital conference this year, but it's been in limbo since January. The ESA initially announced that they wouldn't hold it in-person back in January, and weeks later, industry insider and games journalist Jeff Grubb said that it most likely wouldn't come back in digital form, either. Now, we have confirmation.

That doesn't mean that this Summer will be devoid of long, ad-filled game announcement streams, though, because Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest is still going to take place — and it looks like Keighley is aware that E3's crown is up for grabs, since he tweeted this just seconds after the news broke:

Listen, we're not saying that E3 was maybe stabbed in the shadows, but if it was, we'd know who to suspect. Especially because Geoff seemingly had this follow-up ready to go:

Could this be the end for E3 as we know it? Is this even surprising news, after so many companies have been dropping out in recent years? Will Keighley's Game Fest come close to replacing it... or did it do that years ago? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.