[Scarlett.]

Apparently Sony wont be showing up again this year

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

Confirmed https://uk.ign.com/articles/sony-will-not-be-at-e3-2020

[Scarlett.]

I hope they at least do a State of Play

[user104658]

One would imagine it's in favour of doing their own thing for PS5?

[Scarlett.]

Most likely

[Scarlett.]

The writing was on the wall for E3 2020 when Sony and a slew of other big names decided to pull out of the annual convention, but coronavirus may yet put a stop to the show entirely. Host city Los Angeles announced a state of emergency regarding the deadly disease overnight, and that’s left organisers ESA “actively assessing” the situation.

“The health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, partners, and staff is our top priority,” a statement said. “While the ESA continues to plan for a safe and successful E3 show […] we are monitoring and evaluating the situation daily. We are actively assessing the latest information and will continue to develop measures to further reduce health risks at the show.”

The event isn’t scheduled to begin until 9th June, but it’d be optimistic to assume the threat of coronavirus will have passed by then. If the show does get cancelled, then it may force publishers like Ubisoft to produce a Nintendo Direct-esque broadcast as opposed to a traditional press conference – and who knows if it’ll ever return to the stage?

This feels like a crucial moment for the legendary convention, and the industry as a whole. For decades, E3 has been the most important week in the year, playing host to game announcements and dozens upon dozens of hands on reports. That’s slowly beginning to change, and coronavirus may put the final nail in the event’s half-buried coffin.

Push Square

I cant see many events going ahead this year

[Scarlett.]

[LaLaLand]

That's such a shame but I don't blame them. Were they going to showcase next gen at E3? Hope they still release information despite the cancellation.

[Scarlett.]

I imagine a lot of stuff is going to be shown off online instead, kills the hype a little but it had to be done.

[Shaun]

I know it's probably hella fun to attend but I don't think they're necessary to excite fans.

[user104658]

The vast majority of people are only following E3 online anyway... so it's technically not really any different, other than for attendees (obviously). I personally prefer just seeing the trailers and info online without a company exec talking sh*te over it

[Smithy]

Meh it’s been crap the last few years anyway

[Scarlett.]

It'd be nice if this meant showfloor demos were put online instead

[LukeB]

Why have they cancelled it now?

they should have waited until around May because anything could happen in 3 months, could have delayed it too

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by LukeB

Why have they cancelled it now?

they should have waited until around May because anything could happen in 3 months, could have delayed it too

It's very unlikely that coronavirus is gonna be gone in 3 months

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Scarlett.

It's very unlikely that coronavirus is gonna be gone in 3 months

I mean... It's not going to be gone ever but at some point things will return to relative normality. The delaying tactics aren't to eradicate it, they're to give health services time to increase capacity to the point where the endemic virus is manageable and for a decent proportion of the population to build antibodies. But yeah that's going to be longer than 3 months.

[Scarlett.]

Ubisoft, Square Enix, Microsoft, Nintendo and Devolver Digital will all hold digital conferences around the time E3 took place. Due to the low cost of these "Conferences" we might actually see many more happening

[Tom4784]

I'm glad, the conferences were always something to look forward too, even if they didn't always deliver.

[Scarlett.]

Yep, the showfloor stuff was always a nice dessert, but the conferences were always the main meal.