E3 hasn’t had an in-person event in quite some time thanks to the dreaded pandemic. However, 2023 is marking the return of the event that showcases major games in the industry. Fans often love to wait for E3 to see what’s to come in the future. However, it looks like Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox—major players in the overall industry—are skipping out on E3 this year.
IGN reported on the news recently, citing knowledgeable sources. The news comes just after Xbox announced last week that it would be returning to Los Angeles for its annual summer showcase.
Xbox head Phil Spencer said that the company is timing its showcase with E3 at a moment “convenient for press and even consumers.” It seems highly likely that although Xbox won’t be at E3, it will hold a showcase pretty close to the E3 time.
Spencer stressed that Xbox supports E3 and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), but it seems like they will not have a booth on the showfloor.
The lack of Xbox’s presence is a big surprise. Xbox has usually been a major supporter of the event in the past. It is also one of the most commonly seen at E3 out of the “Big Three” publishers.
Nintendo and Sony Won’t be There Either
Nintendo has traditionally had a booth at E3, so its absence is also quite shocking for many. PlayStation reportedly had disagreements with the ESA and dropped out of E3 in 2019. It’s not the most shocking of the three, but Nintendo and Xbox not being there does come as a surprise.
This news is definitely a huge blow for E3, which has been working to reestablish itself with the help of events company ReedPop.
A source told IGN that major E3 organizers have departed the ESA and that there have been “ongoing frustrations” with the organization. Organizers claim that the ESA have “incredibly mishandled the E3 brand over the last three years.”
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