E3 2023 Cancelled Due to Lack of Support from Major Gaming Companies

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the cancellation of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2023. This marks the second year in a row that the event has been called off due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, this year's cancellation was also attributed to a lack of interest from major gaming companies.

The event was scheduled to take place in Los Angeles from June 13th to 16th, with a mix of industry-focused days and days open to the public. However, in the lead-up to the event, major gaming companies such as Nintendo, Microsoft, and Ubisoft announced that they would not be participating.

An email sent to employees and verified by IGN stated that E3 2023 "simply did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry."

Earlier this year, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony all confirmed that they would not be attending the event. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot had also hinted that the event might not happen, although ReedPop confirmed that it would be moving forward.

Despite the cancellation of E3, June is still set to be a significant month for gaming news. Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest is scheduled for June 8th, and Microsoft's annual Xbox showcase and Starfield-focused show are set for June 11th. Ubisoft's in-person Ubisoft Forward Live is also scheduled for June 12th.

The ESA has not yet announced any plans for the future of E3.