E3 2021’s physical convention may have officially been cancelled, after documents from Los Angles city listed the convention as a “cancelled live event.”
VGC reports that in a news report from the Board of Los Angeles Convention and Tourism Development Commission, a sales update lists the event as a “cancelled live event.” It also lists the event would have begun on June 15th, and that the Board are working with the production team to broadcast options via LA Live/LACC. A licence for 2022 and 2023 is also being worked on.
The cancellation is no doubt due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and quarantine orders. At this time of writing, Los Angeles considers the situation an extreme risk, and recommends everyone remain at home.
Of the 12 events listed, three have or will be cancelled. Six are waiting for approval from LA County officials, one is holding a virtual event, another remaining as a live event, and one is not hosting the event at LACC. This would also mark the third time E3 was cancelled, with the physical and digital events cancelled in 2020.
Documents from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) had previously leaked, with plans for a digital-focused or purely digital E3 2021. Those documents proposed the event would be live-streamed from June 15th to 17th. The event will also include multiple two-hour keynote sessions, award shows; and smaller streams from publishers, influences, and media partners.
Partner companies would also be allowed to remotely stream demos in “thousands” of meetings, with one-to-one assistance from developers. All of these proposals will need to be approved by the ESA’s members; made of the largest developers and publishers.
Former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé stated during an interview that the plans for E3 2021 “doesn’t sound that compelling;” and that someone else could usurp the event for their own. Fils-Aimé stated “If the ESA doesn’t figure out how to do this, someone else will,” possibly implying individuals such as Geoff Keighley and his Summer of Games.
Several of the above ideas proposed for E3 2021 bore comparisons to the events that took place in E3 2020’s stead. The game reveals, trailers, and interviews could be compared to the aforementioned Summer of Gaming, while the limited time demos may remind some of Steam’s Games Festivals.
