E3 2022 Cancellation: ESA Scraps Both Physical and Digital Events Amid Ongoing Challenges
Entry information
Published on: January 17, 2022
Description
E3 2022 Cancellation: ESA Scraps Both Physical and Digital Events Amid Ongoing Challenges
E3, long regarded as the video game industry’s flagship event, will not return in 2022 in either its traditional physical format or as an online showcase, according to recent verified reports.
Hosted annually by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), E3 has served as the major stage for announcements from developers and publishers, notably Nintendo, with its iconic Nintendo Direct presentations for the Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
At the start of 2022, the ESA issued a statement confirming that E3 would once again forgo its physical presence at the Los Angeles Convention Center, citing persistent health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the official communication, ESA expressed continued enthusiasm for the future of E3, reassuring the community that more updates were forthcoming.
The message read: "We are nonetheless excited about the future of E3 and look forward to announcing more details soon."
However, further details soon cast a shadow on hopes for even an all-digital event, similar to the online-only E3 2021.
Prominent VentureBeat journalist Jeff Grubb, known for timely and accurate industry reporting, shared through a widely viewed statement on TikTok that "E3 has been cancelled.
Physically it has been cancelled, and it appears the digital event is also cancelled." This is consistent with lingering uncertainty from the ESA, which had not formally confirmed plans for a virtual replacement.
Grubb's track record on industry developments adds weight to his remarks, reinforcing the outlook that 2022 will see no iteration of E3 in any form.
The absence of E3 in 2022 shifts the spotlight to alternative industry broadcasts.
Of particular note is Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest, scheduled to proceed later this year, promising announcements and showcases across major platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
In previous years, Nintendo has leveraged both E3 and its own Nintendo Direct format during such windows to unveil first-party titles, eShop updates, and new hardware developments.
While the ESA has pledged to communicate any changes directly, this marks another significant moment in the shifting landscape of video game industry events.
Stakeholders and fans alike will need to turn to sources such as Summer Game Fest and individual publisher streams for this year’s major gaming reveals and news, including those impacting Nintendo’s quintessential platforms and upcoming titles.
For the latest verified updates on E3, Nintendo Direct broadcasts, and all platforms including the Nintendo Switch, stay connected to trusted news channels as the industry navigates these ongoing changes.
