Update: 17:04 CET: The ESA has officially confirmed that E3 2020 is cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 (coronavirus) spread. The full statement is below:
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.
Original Story
Word on the internet is that E3 2020 is all but cancelled and that the ESA is preparing to make an official announcement sometime later today to confirm the rumours that are swirling around Twitter.
Earlier, Devolver Digital, which has already announced it won’t be putting on a live show in its usual parking lot spot, fuelled the flamed by simply tweeting “cancel you E3 flights and hotels, y’all” before notable industry veteran Jason Schreier piped in to say that he has also been hearing that the annual event will be cancelled and that the ESA will announce it later today.
Been hearing secondhand whispers tonight from several devs/pubs that E3 is cancelled, although I’ve also heard from a couple of people in positions to know that the ESA hasn’t officially made a decision yet and is still consulting with pubs. Either way, it’s only a matter of time https://t.co/Od0MDj3ZXv
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 11, 2020
Cancel your E3 flights and hotels, y’all.
— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) March 11, 2020
My day started with investigating some E3 stuff. Ended with multiple (and I mean MULTIPLE) sources coming my way.
E3 cancelation announcement scheduled for tmw AM. I don’t think it will hold the night. Many of us have been engaged by sources this evening.
Cancel your plans.
— Mike Futter (@Futterish) March 11, 2020
— Patrick Klepek (@patrickklepek) March 11, 2020
The reason? The bloody Covid-19 (coronavirus) spread which isn’t slowing down and is causing mass panic buying among toilet paper enthusiasts. There’s still a chance these rumours aren’t correct, but it is, unfortunately, looking more and more likely that E3 2020 will be cancelled in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. Before you go cancelling flights, hotels and the like, it’s worth waiting a little while to see what comes from today.
Personally, E3 2020 will happen for me with or without the ESA. I bought my plane tickets back in January, so Pure PlayStation will still be there in one form or another. Yes, it’ll most likely consist of me standing outside the LA Convention Centre for three days with tears running down my face and a sign saying “give me stuff to play and write about,” but I’ll be there!
