E3 2023 Cancellation: ESA Explains the Reasoning

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2023 has been canceled, as announced by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and ReedPop. The event was initially scheduled to take place from June 13th to June 16th at the Los Angeles Convention Center but will no longer occur in either digital or physical form. In 2022, E3 did not take place, but the ESA had partnered with ReedPop to revamp the event for 2023. However, major companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft decided not to support the event. GamesIndustry.biz spoke with ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis to understand what went wrong and the potential for E3's return. Pierre-Louis emphasized that the ESA's core role involves convening the industry and highlighting its achievements. He noted that E3 has historically served as a platform for announcing games and facilitating business, but the industry's marketing needs have evolved, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The ESA had attempted to reshape E3 to reflect these changing needs by partnering with ReedPop, which has a track record of organizing successful events. Despite initial interest from exhibitors, industry players, media, and fans, the event faced significant challenges. These included altered game development timelines, economic headwinds causing companies to reassess large marketing event investments, and the need for companies to balance in-person events with digital marketing opportunities. The ESA remains committed to providing a platform for industry marketing and convening, ensuring they find the right balance for the industry's current and ongoing needs. They also continue to focus on issue advocacy work, which is their primary priority. Pierre-Louis acknowledged that companies make individual business and marketing decisions, and it's an evolving landscape. When asked if E3 needs a complete reset, he stated that the ESA wants to provide a platform that works for the industry's needs, monitoring how companies want to deploy their assets in an evolving world. The ESA aims to create a dynamic and sustainable model that meets the industry's needs, considering the changing landscape of game development and economic headwinds. Pierre-Louis also addressed the perceived animosity towards E3, stating that the event represents different things to different people and its legacy is still being written. He emphasized the importance of E3 as a platform for the industry to come together, showcase its best aspects, and enable convening. The ESA will continue to listen to the industry's needs and ensure that any future events meet those needs. Regarding the potential return of E3 in 2024, Pierre-Louis stated that the ESA is committed to providing an industry platform for marketing and convening, but they need to find the right balance that meets the industry's needs. If E3 does return, it may not be in the same form as before, as the ESA aims to create a sustainable model for the future. The cancellation of E3 2023 may suggest that the industry is tightening its belt, but Pierre-Louis emphasized that the industry continues to grow, with US revenues increasing from $14.8 billion in 2012 to around $56.6 billion in 2022. The ESA will continue to advocate for the industry, and their work is not affected by the cancellation of E3.