E3 won't happen at all this summer, IGN reports.
For 2022, event organizers with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) didn't plan on hosting an in-person event, citing health concerns from the then-nascent omicron variant back in January.
"Due to the ongoing health risks surrounding covid-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and attendees, E3 will not be held in person in 2022," the ESA said in a statement a the time. "We are nonetheless excited about the future of E3 and look forward to announcing more details soon."
This is the second time in three years that the ESA hasn't held its annual hype fest. In 2020, due to the pandemic, organisers called it off. The event returned last year, albeit as an all-digital charade. Rumours around the event's cancellation swirled as early as January. It's a huge blow to the event, as it struggles to stay relevant amid the proliferation of unaffiliated all-digital events, like Sony's State of Play showcases and Nintendo's immensely popular Direct streams.
Earlier this month, EA cancelled its annual showcase, EA Play Live. Instead, it'll reveal developments about its forthcoming slate of games—like Skate 4—in piecemeal announcements as details become ready for the public.
Following the announcement of E3 2022's demise, host Geoff Keighley announced Summer Game Fest would be making a return to fill that game advert-shaped void in your life.
"Excited to share that Summer Game Fest will return this June with a slate of events," Keighley noted in a tweet. "We'll be producing another Kickoff Live show with announcements, news and first looks. Much more to share in the coming weeks, along with some very cool new elements for '22."
In 2021, Summer Game Fest was a month-long programme of reveals, streams, interviews and more, all headlined by a live Kickoff show that played host to 30+ reveals and announcements.
For 2022, event organizers with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) didn't plan on hosting an in-person event, citing health concerns from the then-nascent omicron variant back in January.
"Due to the ongoing health risks surrounding covid-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and attendees, E3 will not be held in person in 2022," the ESA said in a statement a the time. "We are nonetheless excited about the future of E3 and look forward to announcing more details soon."
This is the second time in three years that the ESA hasn't held its annual hype fest. In 2020, due to the pandemic, organisers called it off. The event returned last year, albeit as an all-digital charade. Rumours around the event's cancellation swirled as early as January. It's a huge blow to the event, as it struggles to stay relevant amid the proliferation of unaffiliated all-digital events, like Sony's State of Play showcases and Nintendo's immensely popular Direct streams.
Earlier this month, EA cancelled its annual showcase, EA Play Live. Instead, it'll reveal developments about its forthcoming slate of games—like Skate 4—in piecemeal announcements as details become ready for the public.
Following the announcement of E3 2022's demise, host Geoff Keighley announced Summer Game Fest would be making a return to fill that game advert-shaped void in your life.
"Excited to share that Summer Game Fest will return this June with a slate of events," Keighley noted in a tweet. "We'll be producing another Kickoff Live show with announcements, news and first looks. Much more to share in the coming weeks, along with some very cool new elements for '22."
In 2021, Summer Game Fest was a month-long programme of reveals, streams, interviews and more, all headlined by a live Kickoff show that played host to 30+ reveals and announcements.
