E3 2023 has been on the ropes in recent weeks, as more and more top publishers decide to pull out of the iconic gaming event. Last year saw Sony end its long-standing tradition of attending E3, and this year has seen the likes of EA, Activision Blizzard and even Nintendo dramatically reducing their presence at the event.
The news of yet more publishers leaving the event raises serious questions about the future of the event and its place in gaming. It’s been a long time staple of the video game industry, with its dizzying throngs of fans and industry folk coming together to celebrate the medium, but for many it’s becoming increasingly apparent that E3 is no longer fit for purpose.
The rise of digital media and streaming technology in the past few years has made it much easier for publishers to connect with the gaming community without attending large physical events; something that is only set to continue in the future. Add to this the increasing cost of attending such events and it’s easy to see why the likes of EA are choosing to downsize their E3 presence.
This isn’t to say that E3 is dead and buried, however. There are still plenty of publishers that are committed to attending the event and putting on a show of sorts. But with each passing year and each publisher that drops out, the pressure on the organizers and the event in general continues to mount.
It’s clear that something needs to change and, luckily, the relevant parties are already in the process of trying to make that happen. In a recent interview, the ESA (the body that organizes E3) announced plans to ‘modernize’ the event and provide a greater focus on ‘ongoing engagement’ with its attendees.
Whether or not these plans are enough to save E3 2023 remains to be seen, but the gaming industry certainly seems to be in need of a shake-up when it comes to physical events. If the ESA can’t rally their supporters, then it could well be that E3 is headed for an unceremonious demise – but only time will tell.
Hey Subscribe to our newsletter for more articles like this directly to your email.