E3, once the biggest video game show, has officially been abandoned by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The news was shared simultaneously in a post on social networks and via the Washington Post, in an article entitled: “E3, once the biggest video game show, is officially dead“. The decision, which unfortunately comes as no surprise, marks the end of an event that has been a focal point for the video game industry in the U.S. and around the world for over two decades. Covid will undoubtedly have dealt it the final blow. After an online version in 2021 and two cancellations in 2020 and 2022, the show’s future seemed more than compromised. ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis explained that, although E3 had been passionately supported by the entire industry, gamers and creators alike, it was time to say goodbye to the event because of the new opportunities the industry offered to reach fans and partners.
The death of E3 also raises questions about Paris Games Week
This announcement raises many questions about the value of this type of show, when online events seem easier to deploy. This new form of event also enables brands to control their costs, their message and their interaction with their audience. Finally, we can’t help but think about the future of Paris Games Week, where the price/interest ratio is increasingly questionable for brands and visitors alike.
