UPDATE: 3/31/2022 - According to GamesIndustry.biz on Twitter, the ESA has confirmed E3 2022's cancellation and stated plans to return in 2023. The original story follows.
It's official, E3 2022 will not even receive a digital event, leaving Summer Game Fest to take over in its stead. Earlier this year, E3 organizer Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced it would not host an in-person E3 event for 2022 this summer as a COVID-related precaution. Many assumed the organizer would shift focus to another digital show akin to the 2021 festivities; however, the ESA quickly revealed it had no such plans at the time.
E3 skipped a year in 2020 due to the rise of the coronavirus pandemic around the globe, yet the ESA eagerly informed the public of its intention to return in 2021 with something even bigger and better in store. While the biggest week in gaming did indeed return last summer, few were impressed by what the ESA had on offer, especially when compared to Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest efforts. Now it's clear the organization will once again revisit the drawing board in an attempt to reclaim its crown as the gaming event of the year - it won't do so this summer, however.
As reported by Razer PR lead Will Powers, the Entertainment Software Association has officially canceled E3 2022. That means that neither a digital nor physical event is on the docket for this summer. Sources familiar with the organization's operations told IGN discussions about a possible online version were ongoing for quite some time, but lacked the momentum necessary to bear any fruit. As a result, E3's governing body will reassemble at a later time to figure out how best to reinvigorate the usually annual showcase for 2023. It didn't take long for Summer Game Fest to stake its claim on the summer celebration, evident in a Twitter post noting that the Geoff Keighley-hosted festivities will take place on an unspecified date this June.
Since gaming pundits and enthusiasts alike often question the relevance of E3, this particular outcome seemed a given in many respects. Last year's digital broadcast did little to move the needle in terms of hype. The portal system used for press and fans proved more confusing than exciting. And each showcase felt standalone as opposed to a part of a cohesive whole. Simply put, few people - if any - were looking forward to a repeat of E3 2021.
Summer Game Fest picked up quite a bit of steam amid E3's various shortcomings. Most notably, the Keighley-run online festival managed to secure the first official showing of Elden Ring gameplay last year. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands entered the spotlight during Summer Game Fest 2021, as well; Hideo Kojima and Sony also unveiled Death Stranding's Director's Cut in conjunction with the new kid on the block. With competition this steep, it'll be interesting to see how the ESA tries to reassert its dominance in the years ahead.
Source: Will Powers/Twitter, IGN, Summer Game Fest/Twitter
