E3 2022 Cancelled, Organisers Plan 2023 Return

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is now cancelled, according to its organisers.

After initially dropping plans to hold in-person events, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the group behind the annual game industry trade show, announced that it won’t be hosting digital events either.

In a statement, the group cited the health risks surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the cancellation. IGN reports that talks among the organisers about holding a digital format of the show, similar to last year, have been “ongoing ever since”. It’s not clear what happened along the way that made them decide to cancel this year’s show completely.

“We previously announced that E3 would not be held in person in 2022 due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19. Today, we announce that there will also be no digital E3 showcase in 2022,” reads the ESA’s statement.

The group has also already informed exhibitors about the cancellation, with Will Powers, the Razer PR Lead in the Americas, being among the first to break the news via a tweet.

"We will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalised physical and digital E3 experience next summer,” the ESA further noted. “ Whether enjoyed from the show floor or your favourite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience.”

E3 was similarly cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Last year’s event, on the other hand, was all-virtual, spanning four days of game reveals and announcements from some of the industry’s major publishers.

Those who are looking forward to news about games shouldn’t worry though. The Games Awards creator Geoff Keighley took advantage of E3’s cancellation to promote Summer Game Fest, a series of online events which will host showcases of upcoming game releases. The Summer Game Fest will be held in June of this year. Some of the publishers who hold shows at E3 might additionally host their own events later this year.

E3 won't be holding an in-person and virtual event this year, meaning the annual gaming trade show is completely cancelled.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the organisers of the event, cited health risks surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the cancellation.
The group further noted that they're now focusing their efforts on bringing the show back in 2023.