The E3 2021 digital event will go ahead in June after being backed by various ESA members, but we’ll be missing a few familiar faces.
The longstanding event has Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Ubisoft, Take-Two, Warner Bros and Koch Media on board for this year’s digital event.
However, Sony, EA, Activision Blizzard, SEGA, Bandai and Square Enix will be absent from the event. The convention is slotted to take place from 12-15th June, which means other big names could still be announced.
In a recent press release, the ESA’s CEO, Stanley Pierre-Louis, expressed his confidence in the online expo [via GamesIndustry.Biz]:
“For more than two decades, E3 has been the premier venue to showcase the best that the video game industry has to offer while uniting the world through games,
“We are evolving this year’s E3 into a more inclusive event, but will still look to excite the fans with major reveals and insider opportunities that make this event the indispensable centre stage for video games.”
The ESA is also working across the board to “amplify and make this content available to everyone for free”. Concerns had previously emerged regarding E3 Online’s pricing and whether its content would be behind a paywall.
The past year has been a challenge for E3, yet the event has been dwindling in support long before the pandemic. Various publishers have opted to reveal their latest games and news through their own events rather than waiting for the annual E3 stage.
Other than the show being online, the details behind this year’s E3 are sparse. While more publishers may sign up for the event nearer the time, many will likely abstain.
One of the benefits of E3 is being able to get hands-on with upcoming game releases. Without this perk, the expo might fail to stand out amongst the various announcement events that exist today.
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Featured Image Credit: E3