The E3 Expo will be coming back in a new form this year, as the event will be utilizing digital platforms this 2021. E3 2020 was canceled because of the global pandemic, along with almost every other trade event that was due to occur all throughout the year.
The 2020 games launch schedule was thrown into oblivion by the restrictions and lockdowns, with games such as Resident Evil 3 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake seeing their release interrupted by shipping problems.
The unexpected move to telework also caused numerous games to be postponed, with the whole industry needing to adjust how it worked overnight. The sudden absence of an E3 led to replacement events but there was still a lot of concern about the upcoming games launch schedule for the rest of the year.
It seems increasingly likely that most gaming industry events until the end of the summer will need to be canceled because of the ongoing global pandemic. The Entertainment Software Association is preparing for a change, as it has revealed that E3 2021 will take place as a digital event.
There were rumors last year of a revamped E3 event for 2021, and those plans are now beginning to take form. According to reports, the ESA has made plans for this year’s online-only event. The ESA wants to hold multiple two-hour themed sessions with partners, alongside individual smaller streams.
Screen Rant has talked with ESA for further clarification on the price required for game publishers to participate in this year’s E3. The intent is for remote demos to be made available during the event. E3 2021 will be taking place on June 15 to 17, with a preview event taking place on June 14. The ESA has issued the following statement about the upcoming E3 2021.
“We can confirm that we are transforming the E3 experience for 2021 and will soon share exact details on how we’re bringing the global video game community together. We are having great conversations with publishers, developers and companies across the board, and we look forward to sharing details about their involvement soon.!”
It’s uncertain which publishers and developers will be involved in this year’s E3 event, but companies that left the show in the past, like Sony, might be willing to make a comeback to the fold. Then again, the individual events in 2020 received colossal viewership numbers, so there is still an audience for video game conferences that don’t hold the E3 name.
