The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) have officially announced that E3 2020 is cancelled due to “overwhelming concerns” of the coronavirus outbreak.
Earlier today, we reported that Devolver Digital and other sources claimed such an announcement was imminent. Now, the ESA has announced it officially.
Speaking to GameSpot, the ESA stated the following:
“After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry–our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners–we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
[…] Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.”
GameSpot also reports that it will (in GameSpot’s words) “be in touch” with exhibitors and attendees regarding full refunds. The ESA also stated they would be “exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020.”
Finally, the ESA stated that E3 2021 will continue “as a reimagined event that brings fans, media and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.”
Earlier this month, creative production company iam8bit have announced they would not be involved with E3 2020. Earlier reports also announced that E3 2020 would be a “new and revitalized experience.”
Sony announced on January 13th they would be skipping E3 for the second time. Geoff Keighley also announced he would be skipping E3 2020 for the first time in 25 years.
When asked on Twitter what fueled his decision not to participate, Keighley replied, “A ton of factors, I just don’t really feel comfortable participating given what I know about the show as of today.”
After it was announced that the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2020 would be postponed due to the outbreak (after many major publishers and developers pulled out), the ESA reassured the public that “everyone is watching the situation very closely,” but they were “moving ahead full speed with E3 2020 planning.”
The city of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus on March 4th. Nonetheless, the ESA announced they were “monitoring and evaluating the situation daily.”
The coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) has affected many businesses in China, including Google, Apple, Facebook, and more. It has also hindered businesses in Japan, including those centered around anime, and video games [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering are mapping the virus’ spread [1, 2]. As of this time of writing, there have been over 121,500 confirmed cases worldwide, and over 4,300 deaths. Over 66,200 people have made a “total recovery.”
Across the United States of America, there have been 1,050 cases, 29 deaths, and 8 total recoveries. It should be noted out of the 1,050 cases, 157 are in California (the state where E3 2020 would have been held, Los Angeles). There have been eight total recoveries within California.
Update: The ESA have issued their statement publicly. You can find that below:
“After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.
Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.
We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com.
We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.”
