Skip to main content

E3 2020 gaming expo officially canceled due to coronavirus

 

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) has become the most recent victim of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. E3 2020 has officially been canceled.

Recommended Videos

The Electronic Software Association (ESA) confirmed the gaming expo’s cancellation Wednesday morning on the official E3 Twitter account and on the E3 website. Citing concerns over the coronavirus, the press release confirms the cancellation is due to concerns over the safety of everyone who would have attended the event.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The E3 team is devastated to share this news. This decision was not reached lightly, but it is the right one for the health and safety of all involved. Read our statement here: https://t.co/1uOWxTerN9 pic.twitter.com/gD2IxNACLX

— E3 (@E3) March 11, 2020

Microsoft executive Phil Spencer reacted instantly to the decision, revealing Team Xbox would be holding its own digital event instead of its E3 presentation — which happily means Xbox fans won’t be going home empty-handed in June.

“The health and safety of employees, fans and our partners around the world is a top priority. We support the ESA in its decision to cancel E3 following increased public concerns with the COVID-19 virus,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Digital Trends. “E3 has always been an important moment for us to show what’s ahead from Team Xbox. This year we’ll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the Xbox community and all who love to play around the world via a digital event. We will share details on timing and more in the coming weeks.”

The decision was apparently scheduled to go live Tuesday, March 10, but did not materialize, and was subsequently leaked by multiple sources speaking to Ars Technica. Those sources were then backed up by a short tweet by the developer Devolver Digital, which appeared to confirm the rumors. The ESA previously published how it was planning on responding to the outbreak, with hand-washing guidance and avoiding contact with those who are sick.

For the unfamiliar, E3 is the biggest annual show in gaming. Stretched out over three days every June, it’s the premier event for publishers to show off new games. While the event has been rocked by a number of blunders and major mistakes over the years, E3 is still one of the biggest and busiest events for the gaming industry — and it’s seen as so vital it hasn’t missed a year since 1996. That is, until now.

It is surprising to see the show postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, as it is only the latest in a number of events canceled by the virus. On Tuesday, Huawei broke the news it would not be holding a physical launch event for its new P40 Pro smartphone, and would instead be holding an online event. Other large-scale events have also been canceled due to fears the outbreak could be worsened, including Google’s annual I/O conference and the Geneva Motor Show. The virus has even pushed back the release of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die.

But this major cancellation could have a bigger impact on E3 than some other events. Social media means it is easier than ever to make huge announcements without the need for a third party, and we’re seeing more and more big names start to drop out of the convention. Sony had already dropped out of E3 for the second year in a row, while Nintendo has effectively replaced the show with its own Nintendo Direct online events. Publisher Ubisoft said it would explore “a digital experience” to share the announcements it was planning to make at E3.

An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm

— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) March 11, 2020

Really, the loss of E3 this year will underline whether publishers and developers need E3 anymore.

Mark Jansen
Mobile Evergreen Editor
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
3 games leaving Xbox Game Pass to play this weekend (September 6-8)
Character posing for Payday 3 promo art.

While Age of Mythology: Retold launched on Xbox Game Pass on September 4, several games are also leaving the service. In just over a week, five games will be removed from Xbox Game Pass. This happens around every 15 days, so there's nothing out of the ordinary here. Still, some notable games are leaving the service on September 15, so you should check them out before they are gone. I want to highlight three of those games, ranging from a clever indie to a tense multiplayer game. Check them out this weekend, and if you really enjoy them, you can buy them at a 20% discount while they're still in Xbox Game Pass.
Payday 3

Payday 3 is the latest entry in Starbreeze's long-running first-person shooter series where players work together to pull off heists. For example, you'll work with others to scope out a bank before donning masks, holding people hostage, stealing money, and making a quick escape from the police. It's a tense multiplayer game where failure is likely, and I've had a good time with it. Admittedly, Payday 3 doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, but as something to play free of charge on Xbox Game Pass, it's entertaining enough. The PC and Xbox Series X/S versions of Payday 3 leave Xbox Game Pass on September 15. After that, the game will still be available for purchase on those platforms and PlayStation 5.
Slime Rancher 2

Read more
The best Nintendo 3DS games
Person holding Nintendo 3DS in hands

After we enjoyed the wealth of the best GBA games, the pivot to the DS was a bit odd. The dual-screen design and touchscreen didn't seem like it would be a recipe for success, but just like the best Wii games proved us wrong for that console, it ended up being a smash hit. After a few different designs, this handheld reached its final form with the 3DS that added in glasses-free 3D.

The 3DS had games just as fun and creative as the best Wii U games, but this time the gimmick and naming convention didn't hurt its sales. In fact, some of these games are so beloved that they crack the list of best games of all time. Let's crack open our 3DS one more time to take a look at the best games for the handheld.

Read more
The best PS3 games of all time
PlayStation 3.

The PlayStation 3 had a rough start. The price was high, and there weren't all that many great games compared to the best Xbox 360 games. However, Sony stuck with it and eventually managed to turn things around, leading to one of the most important generations in terms of new IP. Since that time, video game graphics and gameplay have only gotten more realistic with the best PS4 games and even better with the best PS5 games. 

Despite all the advancements and new consoles, you may sometimes be in the mood to revisit some of your favorite games that you played as a kid or teenager. Sifting through all the old PS3 games can feel overwhelming, but if you’re trying to figure out which games are still worth your time, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations. We've also gathered a list of the best PS1 games and best PS2 games for the sake of nostalgia.
Action

Read more