E3 Officially Ends: How Nintendo Direct and Digital Events Changed the Gaming Industry

The Electronic Entertainment Expo—better known as E3—has officially come to an end, marking the close of an era in the video game industry.

Organized by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), E3 has been a staple event since its inception in 1995.

For decades, it served as the premier stage for major game publishers, including Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, to showcase their latest announcements and hardware innovations, including legendary debuts such as the Nintendo DS, Wii Fit, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Following multiple attempts at reviving the once-glamorous trade show, the ESA formally announced the cancellation and discontinuation of E3 in December 2023.

The final decision comes after years of struggles, including the withdrawal of major industry players, the emergence of strong competitors like Summer Game Fest, and significant shifts in how the public consumes gaming news.

As reported by The Washington Post, the ESA cited a combination of partner departures, emerging competition, evolving audience behaviors, and disruptions caused by the global pandemic as central causes for E3’s decline. One of the most influential factors leading to E3’s downfall has been the rise of digital video presentations.

Nintendo was at the forefront of this movement with the launch of Nintendo Direct, a series of curated broadcasts that allowed the company to connect directly with fans and deliver news on their own terms—often bypassing the traditional trade show model.

The format’s success prompted other major industry leaders, such as Sony and Ubisoft, to follow suit with their own digital events: State of Play and Ubisoft Forward, respectively.

This shift enabled publishers to craft tailored experiences for their communities and maintain a consistent presence throughout the year, further reducing the necessity of a centralized, in-person expo. E3 attempted to stage a comeback with a planned physical event in 2023.

However, those efforts ultimately faltered after the withdrawal of cornerstone companies including Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft.

This move echoed the broader industry sentiment that digital connectivity and direct-to-fan communication have become the standard—most notably witnessed with regular Nintendo Direct updates and similar online showcases. Over its nearly three-decade history, E3 cemented its reputation as the gaming calendar’s must-watch spectacle.

Nintendo utilized the stage to unveil groundbreaking hardware and beloved game franchises, shaping the industry’s direction.

As the landscape continues to evolve and audiences embrace new ways to engage with announcements—such as dedicated Nintendo Switch reveals via digital showcases—the conclusion of E3 signals both the end of a tradition and the beginning of new opportunities for interactive entertainment. E3’s closure underscores a larger industry trend: the move toward flexible, digital-first communication strategies.

For gamers, publishers, and developers alike, the legacy of E3—and the innovations it inspired—will continue to influence the methods used to share the next wave of gaming milestones.

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