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ESA cancels E3 2022

ESA cancels E3 2022

US video games trade body the Entertainment Software Association has ditched its plans for E3 this year.

In a post on its website, the organisation said that it was pulling its digital plans for the LA trade show this year. The ESA had previously canned the physical event for this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but it has now ditched its online replacement, too.

The trade body promises that it will be bringing E3 back in 2023.

"We previously announced that E3 would not be held in person in 2022 due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19. Today, we announce that there will also be no digital E3 showcase in 2022," the ESA wrote.

"Instead, we will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer. Whether enjoyed from the show floor or your favourite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media, and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience."

E3 has been in trouble for some time now, but the coronavirus pandemic has served to add to the show's problems. In 2020, the event was cancelled altogether due to health concerns, while 2021 saw E3 take place digitally. It's unclear why the ESA has decided to not continue its online showcase this year.


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PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.