The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today that E3 2020 is officially canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. The possibility has been up in the air since the virus picked up speed in the U.S, postponing the Game Developer’s Conference and other large-scale events.
In an official statement, the ESA explained the decision was made out of concern for everyone involved in the event — from friends and family of employees, to exhibitors and attendees. The ESA will be reaching out to all involved regarding refunds, and they’re “exploring options” to host a digital event in lieu of the expo.
It’s a tough blow to everyone involved, but for ESA especially. E3 was already suffering this year due to major exhibitors skipping the event, and a cancellation may be the end of a traditional E3 as we know it. Then again, a year off could be the reset E3 needs to revive the relevance it once had in the video game industry. Only time will tell.
Where does that leave Nintendo fans, who were hoping for hands-on experiences with the company’s biggest titles? While Nintendo has stepped back from live reveals at E3 in favor of its digital-only Directs, the company has always had a strong presence on the show floor. We might never know what they had planned for this year.
However, rumors of a fresh Nintendo Direct later this month are already circulating. It is entirely possible we could hear something new about Breath of the Wild‘s sequel in an upcoming Direct since it has been nearly a year since the first trailer was revealed. Outside of the trailer nothing else is yet known about the game, and without E3 it will be interesting to see how Nintendo is planning to showcase one of its next biggest titles.
