E3, or the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is an annual trade event for the video game industry. It is typically held in Los Angeles, California and is known for showcasing the latest and greatest in gaming hardware, software, and accessories. The event features press conferences, product announcements, hands-on demos, and networking opportunities for industry professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts. E3 has been a major event in the gaming industry since its inception in 1995 and continues to be a highly anticipated event each year. Where the event was home to one of the biggest title launches in the past, it has been cancelled for 2023 – a move that gaming enthusiasts saw coming but it’s still quite unfortunate.

The cancellation of E3 seemed imminent when last week, Ubisoft dropped out of the expo as well. This move came after video game giants such as Microsoft and Nintendo withdrew from the event as well. Most of these companies are planning to host their own launch events around the same date. In fact, Ubisoft’s very own launch event, Ubisoft Forward Live, is scheduled for the 12th of June this year, which clashes with E3’s date (if the event was still being held).

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on game launch events (E3 being one of them). In 2020, E3 was cancelled altogether due to concerns over the spread of the virus. Instead, many game companies opted to hold digital events to announce and showcase their upcoming products. This trend continued in 2021, with E3 transitioning to an online-only format. While digital events allowed for wider accessibility and reach, they lacked the in-person interactions, excitement and experiences that were traditionally associated with gaming events. As a result, some companies chose to host their own independent events or participate in smaller, localized expos. It is quite clear that the pandemic forced the gaming industry to adapt and experiment with new ways of presenting and promoting their products, and it remains to be seen how this will continue to shape the future of game launch events.

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