ESA Announces The End Of E3 After Years Of Struggling To Revive The Iconic Convention
It’s the end of an era for video game convention goers as the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) officially bids farewell. After years of struggling to get big-name video game companies to showcase their wares in the convention, its organizer, the Electronic Software Association, has finally decided to throw in the towel.
“After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye,” the ESA announced. “Thanks for the memories. […] ESA remains focused on advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce who fuel positive cultural and economic impact every day.”
The announcement doesn’t exactly come as a surprise. Since E3 first in-person event was cancelled this summer, the community had all but assumed that the convention was dead. Fortunately, most of those big-name companies and personalities now host their own yearly conventions, including BlizzCon, TwitchCon, and Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest. There’s also GamesCom, PAX East, PAX West, PAX Unplugged, and plenty of other gaming conventions to fill the void left by E3.
“We know the entire industry, players and creators alike have a lot of ion for E3. We share that ion,” ESA president Stanley Pierre-Louis told The Washington Post. “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.”
After more than two decades of serving as a central showcase for the video game industry, ESA has decided to end E3. ESA remains focused on advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce who fuel positive cultural and economic impact every day.…
— Entertainment Software Association (@theESA) December 12, 2023
