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E3 2020 is cancelled, confirms the ESA

"Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed"

March 11, 2020 The ESA has confirmed E3 2020 won’t be going ahead “due to growing concerns over COVID-19 virus”.

E3 2020 won’t be going ahead following worries over the escalating coronavirus outbreak situation around the world. Instead, the organisers – the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) – are “exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience” later this year.

Following reports earlier today (March 11) that E3 would be cancelled, the ESA has now officially confirmed E3 won’t be taking place in 2020. In a press statement the organisation says: “After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020.

“Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.”

Instead, the ESA explains, it’s “exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news” to take place in June 2020. It’s also said it’ll be contacting attendees and exhibitors directly about issuing full refunds.

This marks the latest in a series of industry events cancelled or moved back for this reason – for example, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) was recently postponed until later this summer.

E3 was set to be a very significant event in the gaming calendar in 2020, with looks at the upcoming Xbox Series X, Halo Infinite, Call of Duty 2020, Starfield, and some other big names expected.

“We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry,” the ESA says.