E3 or the Electronic Entertainment Expo, one of the biggest gaming conventions in the world has officially come to an end as the organizer, The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has decided that it is now time to pull the curtains down on the event after over two decades.
This news comes after several years of attempts from The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) to bring back the event to its full form failed and it is now officially dead.
E3 Expo, the Biggest Gaming Convention Comes to an End
E3 first took place in 1995 and was held every year in June at the Los Angeles Convention Center and it continued till 2006. ESA took the event to Santa Monica in 2007 which was a total failure. ESA again brought the expo to the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2008 and it was held again annually till 2019.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and E3 was canceled in 2020 for the first time in its history due to the pandemic. The event returned the next year but was held in an online-only format. The event was once again canceled in 2022 citing health risks and even though there were rumors that the event would be held online, ESA canceled that too.
The event was scheduled to take place this year but was canceled as major companies such as Microsoft and Nintendo pulled out and ESA then split with organizer ReedPop. It has now been confirmed that the gaming convention will not be coming back, ever. ESA announced the news of the end of the event on its official X/Twitter handle. The tweet reads:
After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye. Thanks for the memories.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) cited several reasons for the end of the expo such as new competitors, partner withdrawals, individual showcases from major gaming companies, and more. ESA president and CEO, Stanely Pierre-Louis spoke to The Washington Post about the closure of the event and stated:
After more than two decades of hosting an event that has served as a central showcase for the U.S. and global video game industry, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has decided to bring E3 to a close.
We know the entire industry, players and creators alike have a lot of passion for E3. We share that passion. We know it’s difficult to say goodbye to such a beloved event, but it’s the right thing to do given the new opportunities our industry has to reach fans and partners.
Pierre-Louis mentioned that the video games business has changed in several ways over the years and now major companies can hold their events and showcase their games and products. It is good for the industry as a whole and it’s a great way for the publishers to experiment with how they can engage with their audiences.
E3 was a medium for publishers and games industry members to connect and it soon made its mark in the gaming industry after its inception in 1995. The event allowed fans to attend the event in 2017 but soon its relevance started fading as major gaming publishers shifted to making use of digital video showcases that allowed them to reach their audiences directly.
Nintendo held its first direct showcase in 2011 called Nintendo Direct where it announced new games, products, and more, allowing players from all over the world to connect with them. PlayStation also pulled from the event and now announces all its games and products with events like PlayStation Showcase and State of Play. Microsoft has the Xbox Games Showcase where it does the same with its games and products.
E3 also faced competition from events like Geoff Keighley hosted Summer Game Fest, Gamescom, which is now the largest gaming event in the world, and The Game Awards, which is trying to replace the E3 but is facing its problems as players have been criticizing how the event doesn’t give enough time for industry members that it promises to recognize and celebrate. This year’s TGA was held on December 7 and has been criticized again for the same reason.
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