E3 2020 Has Been Cancelled & The Impact Will Be Huge

A sad batch of news that hasn't hit our industry since 1995 when the show had started. In wake of this, we may see a shift in how announcements and trailers are dealt. Let's parse through all of this because it comes with significant repercussions.

[GM_Sanjit_Ramesh]

The show can easily still continue as its broadcasted online which is 99.9% of the audience, but im sure some companies will pull out.

[MrJdub]

When you were reading their statement Matty it sounded like you were reading a game description about a zombie virus.

[chancy]

it'll be a greatly sad day when/if gaming conventions go away. You can't really put a pricetag or quantify that human element of contact, face to face conversations and seeing game developers, designers and directors on stage in person. Getting to see those personalities greatly helps to put a face and name to a company and a product.

[MalonzeProductionsGaming]

So with E3 being canceled, will each company host thier own "nintendo tree house" live stream to showcase new upcoming games? or maybe wait for gamescom or another event?

[sml]

So we wont be hearing "Fable" or "KotOR" at E3 this year damnit lol hopefully we hear real news about both franchises soon.

[PLAYER_]

Matty, you're not an outlier. If you're older than Generation Z... E3 used to be the Super Bowl / Christmas Time for gamers. It wasn't just because of all the games that were announced, either. It was because, as you said, the coming to together of people who share a passion for video games. Some of them met face to face while others watched online. But we were all witnessing something fun and exciting as a global community of gamers. Also, you touch on an important aspect that a lot of outsiders just forget: E3 used to be about actual business before it was opened to the public. It's where content creators would make deals to feature (stream, Let's Play) games in advance of their launches. E3 is also where indie devs would make a bulk of their sales that sustained them through the rest of the year. That's gone, now, too, unfortunately. Most importantly, as you said, the human element will be removed if everybody just goes all digital. It may be the future, but that doesn't mean it's a healthy, or good future moving forward.

[Brokenlance]

I agree, E3 was always my literal favorite time of year because the wait and then the payoff of news of all the new games and projects, it literally was the same as christmas day as a child but for a week. Every year me and my friends throw a week long party during E3 and just celebrate games, watch the conferences, and scream louder than a football fan at the superbowl when an awesome announcement is made. I hope E3 manages to stay relevant because I don't want to stop throwing my E3 parties and taking off work for a week lol.

[grefsteel]

I bet Bethesda is happy with this news. Starfield wasn't ready to be shown yet. There's still T pose animation bugs, and limbs rotating 360 degrees, counter clockwise.

[danthe]

I was so excited to watch the livestream again, like every year :(

[bropocalypse-]

I am so bummed out! It was my first time I was going to go. :C

[lalo-ktte]

Resident evil 6 set in china, C- virus spreads? Coincidence?!

[redwolf]

To be totally real I'm kind of happy that they did not have E3 but Xbox having said that they are going to have a digital foundation for their showcase is also a good thing so people can stay in the safety of their homes from the sickness while still having marketing towards their viewers.

[hhjk]

But how will Bethesda disappoint me now?!?!?! :c

[FriendlierFetus]

What a weird time. Me and my family are in quarantine, and now E3 is cancelled..

[jarrettwhipple]

Hope Bethesda announces there plans soon, was crossing my fingers that they'd close with a new Starfield announcement at this year's show!

[garrenbrooks]

Oh man I still remember being a teenager and being so excited to watch the e3 coverage on G4.

[tommys]

I remember meeting you 2 years ago at E3 it was so cool it was near the fallout event

[xbloodgoatx]

I love e3..
That said..
This may force developers to focus on making good games to sell them selves rather than hype around a game to get preorders on crap games?..
Talking to you EA and Bethesda...

[graemejones]

E3: We've decided to cancel the event due t...
Bethesda Shill:


Seriously though, this C-Virus is not to be fucked with.

[eboethrasher]

Digital events can work well... Think of the hype Bethesda created with that digital stream for Fallout 76. No statements about the game itself, but that hype up with the announcement was epic as hell.