Like the line from the end of every James Bond movie, E3 will return – and this time, they really mean it. Beleaguered industry establishment the ESA (or Entertainment Software Association), perhaps recognising it needs external help, has partnered with PAX and New York Comic Con production company ReedPop to make a 2023 event at the iconic Los Angeles Convention Center happen.
Full disclosure: Hookshot Media – and, thus, Push Square – is a partner of ReedPop. Naturally, this author no longer believes E3 is dead!
The press release stresses that E3 2023 will “reunite the global video game industry for a week of titanic AAA reveals, earth-shaking world premieres, and exclusive access to the future of video games” as well as “feature in-person consumer components”. Considering ReedPop’s background in consumer events, we’re expecting the future of E3 to be much more public-facing than past instalments – although, even with all of the ESA’s fumbles, the event had been heading in that direction regardless.
“It is a tremendous honour and privilege for ReedPop to take on the responsibility of bringing E3 back in 2023,” bragged chuffed ReedPop bigwig Lance Fensterman. “With the support and endorsement of the ESA, we're going to build a world class event to serve the global gaming industry in new and broader ways than we already do at ReedPop through our portfolio of world leading events and web sites.”
It’s a fascinating development, and with Geoff Keighley unlikely to pull the plug on his own Summer Game Fest – which is planning a larger in-person aspect as well next year – it looks like the war of summer showcases is just beginning. Of course, these events are nothing without publishers and platform holders to support them, and with major manufacturers like Sony now able to easily advertise directly to consumers, it remains to be seen whether they’ll see the value in returning.
The proof will, as always, be in the pudding, then – but E3 is back, and it now has a competent production company at the helm. Let’s see what 2023’s incarnation brings…
Comments 24
E3 has the history, and the beloved brand name, but I have a hard time seeing major publishers being convinced it's the right venue for their big announcements.
In the current age of State of Plays and Nintendo Directs it's easy for companies to get their message out there any time of the year.
I'm not feeling optimistic, but as someone who loved watching E3 press conferences growing up I'm definitely hoping they can pull it off.
@jcordeiro I'm of a similar mind. It's an obvious statement, but I just can't see the likes of Nintendo or PlayStation going for it again.
Others will I'm sure, but those two have moved on.
I genuinely loved E3 back in the day, but I don't think there's a need for it now. It's a fantastic spectacle, sure, but towards the end there it became less about excitement for new games and more about the inevitable "Who won E3" articles, or fanboys waving corporate flags like football fans.
@get2sammyb Time to bow to your ReedPop overlords!
@nessisonett I have definitely never said that E3 is dead. And if I did, I was obviously only joking!
This would be the perfect venue for VR as State of Plays and the like just don't convey what VR is truly like. I know Sony had been skipping E3 for the last few that were held, but the public and press were partially sold on Playstation VR because they were able to try it out in person at E3. Wouldn't it be great if Sony at least had a presence for Playstation VR2?
Well, I've worked with ReedPop on events before, and they are very good at these type of events. So from a production standpoint, I have every faith in their delivery. Now the question is.. can they get the high profile publishers to return? Time will tell.
@get2sammyb
“Naturally, this author no longer believes E3 is dead!”
Too funny!
https://tenor.com/WNix.gif
Well.. we all know Sony wont be there, but if E3 can keep their dreadful idea of InFlUeNcErS being anywhere near it, then I hope it works out for them, somehow.
You just want to pay then on the head and say "aww bless" at this point.
Hopefully they have a successful show. Geoff Keighley’s events have been continuously bad in my opinion so this is much welcome news for me.
I'm all in on E3's comeback. Whatever salt there was is a thing of the past, especially after Keighley has completely fumbled after being handed the keys to the kingdom.
I'm confident Nintendo will return, will be interesting to see if they can bait Sony back
@jcordeiro Nintendo have avoided to do a big summer Direct in both years E3 were cancelled, choosing to dripfeed info instead so it seems big June Nintendo Directs are solely the result of E3 existing. Nintendo probably has loyalty to E3.
I’ll believe it when I see it!!! Put a fork in E3 cause they’re done!!!
Titanic simulator confirmed
Stoked. I've been missing E3. It's just not the same as an all digital event like Summer Game Fest tried this year. Happy for big pressers and blockbuster announcements in the flesh in 2023!
Really hope this works out and they can convince the big 3 especially Sony to comeback I really miss the big stage shows at E3 it was gaming Christmas. The crappy little digital showcases just don't have the same flare like when God Of War IV was first announced and they had that phenomenal orchestra playing the new theme did the slow build up to Kratos stepping out of the shadows hearing the roar of happy and excited fans it was as cheezy as it sounds pretty magical or that amazing fun moment in 2019 when Ikumi Nakamura came on stage and captured everyone's heart when she announced Ghostwrite again these digital direct style things just can't capture that same feeling plus we don't have to put up with Geoff Keighley so plus for that. I really hope this works out
Can't wait for this, will be great to have e3 back
Be cool to see a massive Wolverine and Star Wars Eclipse feature at a big event like this. Those are the kind of games that have me really excited for the "current gen" (and make me kind of think they will feel properly new gen) and although they almost market themselves, they will also draw huge attention at events like this on name alone.
Sony might be tempted to do E3 if they could show say:
Spider Man 2
Wolverine
Pragmata (What even is this, tell me please)
PSVR 2 Demo
And then Rockstar can announce GTA 6 as a PS5 exclusive 👀
(Joking obviously)
So they had to hire ReedPop to sell them on an USA version of Gamescon. Money waisted well.
Really pleased with this news that E3 coning back next year and there's certainly more than enough going on in the gaming world to be a huge success again ,I personally would love to go as I've never been to one and even if sony etc don't bother with it ,I still think it'll be fantastic after the last 2 bad years and bringing passionate ,gamers back together for a big few days event
BWAHAHAHAHA! I'm super excited that they're serious about it. I just hope they can get the big 3 on board. Microsoft is a lock, and Nintendo is a pretty good bet. Getting Jim to spend a couple pennies might be hard though.
@get2sammyb Chow down, my friend, that crow looks delicious!
I'm pretty sure most game developers (not PR people and/or studios heads) prefer to show their stuff whenever the feel comfortable instead of being force to do it in June every year because E3 is coming and they need to show something.
Also, it is still a waste of money and doesn't give your product more exposure than doing it online (anyone that thinks otherwise is deluded). Most of us do no attend (psychically) these showcases either because of money, time, and location.
I'm down for E3's return. Who knows, PlayStation might participate
As several others have already said, not believing this until an hour before it goes live in June 2023.
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