E3 2022 Cancelled: ESA Confirms Return with Revitalized Event in 2023 Amidst Summer Game Fest Rise
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Published on: March 31, 2022
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The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has officially confirmed the cancellation of E3 2022, marking the latest chapter in the storied trade show’s recent struggles.
Known for decades as the premier annual event for industry announcements from giants like Nintendo, Sony, and major third-party developers, E3's absence this year underscores the shifting landscape of how video game news is shared in the modern era.
The ESA released an official statement to IGN, reaffirming their commitment to revitalize the E3 experience.
The organization stated: "We are dedicating all our resources to deliver an updated, both physical and digital, E3 event next summer.
Whether you join us in-person on the show floor or connect from your own devices, the 2023 showcase aims to reunite the global community, media, and the industry itself in an entirely new format with interactive experiences.
We are excited to present E3 live from Los Angeles in 2023."
Rumblings about E3’s fate circulated throughout early 2022.
The ESA had previously announced in January that an in-person E3 would not take place, but news about a possible digital replacement remained unclear.
Noted industry journalist Jeff Grubb indicated that a digital showcase was unlikely, further fueling speculation about the event’s temporary demise.
E3's cancellation paves the way for alternative digital-first showcases to take center stage.
Among these, Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest has emerged as a prominent replacement.
Keighley, the well-known producer behind The Game Awards, responded swiftly to the news by highlighting Summer Game Fest’s continued presence this summer, a subtle acknowledgment of the changing industry dynamic.
His announcement reinforced that the summer will not be without its anticipated game reveal streams, even in E3’s absence.
This shift comes as a growing number of publishers, including Nintendo with its popular Nintendo Direct presentations, have opted in recent years to host their own dedicated digital announcements.
The transition away from traditional trade shows like E3 to more controlled and curated digital showcases offers both flexibility and global accessibility, helping companies reach wider audiences via platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and the eShop.
While E3 2022 will not be happening, the ESA’s statement reaffirms plans to return stronger and more relevant in 2023.
Industry stakeholders and fans alike will be watching closely to see how E3 reinvents itself to remain a vital part of the annual gaming calendar alongside growing events like Summer Game Fest.
Stay tuned for further updates as the industry adapts to new ways of connecting players, creators, and press around major game announcements.
