Even in 2022, the E3 trade fair will take place only digitally -apkrig
Games Beat magazine brought unpleasant information about the E3 fair on the night from Thursday to Friday. Even this year, the event will not take place in its usual form, ie in the presence of gaming companies and visitors directly at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Although ESA promised a year ago that E3 would return in full in 2022, the current pandemic threat, apparently from a new coronavirus mutation, forced a safer option for the third time.
“Due to the persisting health risks associated with COVID-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and participants, E3 will not be held physically in 2022,” ESA said in a statement for the magazine. However, she confirmed that the previously indicated plans for major changes to the overall format are still relevant and will come into force when the E3 can be organized in the standard way. “We continue to be incredibly excited about the future of E3 and look forward to letting you know more details,” the association added.
The CES 22 trade fair, which took place in the presence of visitors directly in Las Vegas, was able to decide on E3, but the organizers were criticized for their alleged irresponsibility.
Regarding this year’s own organization, ESA answered the magazine’s question only very vaguely – the association is said to be enthusiastic about the possibilities offered by the online form. But if it means relaunching a completely useless portal and its very weak gamification, then it probably won’t be worth anything. If you ask why ESA cancels the June event in January, it is due to its long preparations and the need to secure individual exhibitors these days. And given the uncertainty that the pandemic creates, only a minimum of companies would probably nod to participate. In a way, the CES 22 trade fair, which took place in the presence of visitors directly in Las Vegas, could have been involved, but the organizers were criticized for their alleged irresponsibility and the transformation of the entire venue into supertransmitter area.
However, the organizers of the GDC development conference, who decided to continue according to the set plans and hold the traditional March conference in San Francisco in the presence of visitors, bring some confusion to the whole situation. Even after today’s question from Games Beat, it does not change its beliefs and it is a question of how the situation will develop. The only certainty probably remains the stream of various broadcasts, interviews and presentations of the Summer Game Fest moderator Geoff Keighley, who at the moment of the announcement of this year’s E3 parties confirmed on his Twitter that its format will return.
