Annual Entertainment Software Association canceled due to concerns over growing coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.
The Entertainment Software Association has just issued the following statement announcing the cancelation of E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles:
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, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
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.
Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.
We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com.
We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. 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.
Sadly, the show joins a growing list of industry events that have postponed or canceled their 2020 editions, including NAB (just announced minutes ago), FMX Conference, Cartoons on the Bay, GDC, GTC, SXSW, and MipTV. Pressure to consider cancelation surely continues to mount on organizers of other key festivals and conferences, including the Annecy Animation Festival, set for June 15-20 in Annecy, France, and SIGGRAPH 2020, set for July 19-23 in Washington, D.C.
Source: Entertainment Software Association
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
