Gaming

E3 Canceled Due to COVID-19 Concerns

By M. Kang

Posted on March 12, 2020

PC: ESA

COVID-19 has been named a global pandemic by the World Health Organization as it has resulted in around 120,000 positively-tested infections and 4,000 people killed from the virus as of the date of publishing. Due to how contagious it is and the lack of a cure, COVID-19 has disrupted lives, economies and more. We have published several conferences canceled because of the virus and it now looks like E3 will follow suit.

E3 is the premier gaming conference in the US usually held during early to mid-June. Although its importance within the gaming news scene has diminished in years with Sony dropping out and Nintendo moving to a Direct format, E3 still holds provides a place where several large game publishers announce and showcase upcoming releases.

In a statement by the ESA (E3’s organizer), E3 2020 will be canceled due to health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. Although the event is canceled for this year, ESA does note that they are planning to host the conference in 2021, assuming COVID-19 is contained by that point.

In light of the cancellation, CNET has reported that both Microsoft and Ubisoft will look for alternative ways of releasing their information. In a tweet from Ubisoft, the company stated that they are “exploring other options for a digital experience that will allow [them] to share all the exciting news [they] have planned.”

E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox. Given this decision, this year we'll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the @Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks https://t.co/xckMKBPf9h
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) March 11, 2020

An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) March 11, 2020

In a tweet by Phil Spencer, he noted that Xbox, too, will look for digital ways to present their information. This is the same approach Microsoft and Xbox are having to GDC cancellation.

For more information on COVID-19, please see the CDC website.