E3, one of the world’s largest video game conventions, is shutting down permanently, its organizers said on Tuesday, ending what was once an annual rite for players and creators after it struggled for years to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
“After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye,” its hosts, the nonprofit Entertainment Software Association, announced on its website. “Thanks for the memories,” it said, adding, “GGWP,” or good game, well played.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, had been held every year in Los Angeles since 1995, except when it was canceled during the pandemic. It was one of the most high-profile venues where game makers showcased their creations to fans before they went on sale, sometimes with dazzling demonstrations. Celebrities like Eminem and Rihanna appeared.
E3 was originally aimed at journalists and industry professionals. But the convention attracted so many fans that organizers scaled it down to an invite-only conference in 2007. It still attracted up to 50,000 industry members each June.
E3 later faced competition from fan-focused conventions like Comic-Con, the Penny Arcade Expo and MineCon that grew in popularity. It also lost partners, including Nintendo and Sony, which reduced their presence and chose to reveal new games elsewhere.
Players’ habits have also shifted. As physical games, with discs in boxes, declined in popularity, mobile games rose, overtaking PC gaming in revenue in 2016. The gaming business shifted to digital distribution.
During the pandemic, organizers canceled E3 in 2020 and made it virtual in 2021. It was canceled again in 2022 and never recovered. E3’s permanent cancellation was reported earlier by The Washington Post.
After announcing the end of E3, the Entertainment Software Association said on social media that it remained “focused on advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce.”
E3, one of the world’s largest video game conventions, is permanently shutting down, according to its organizers. The convention has struggled to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry and has decided to bid farewell after more than two decades of operation.
The nonprofit Entertainment Software Association, which hosted E3, made the announcement on its website. The association expressed gratitude for the memories and said, “GGWP,” which stands for good game, well played.
E3, also known as the Electronic Entertainment Expo, has been held annually in Los Angeles since 1995, except for the pandemic-related cancellations. It served as a prominent platform for game makers to showcase their creations to fans, often featuring impressive demonstrations and celebrity appearances.
Initially targeting journalists and industry professionals, E3 attracted a significant number of fans over the years. As a result, the convention scaled down to an invite-only conference in 2007, still drawing up to 50,000 industry members each June.
E3 faced competition from fan-focused conventions like Comic-Con, the Penny Arcade Expo, and MineCon, which gained popularity. Additionally, it lost partnerships with companies like Nintendo and Sony, as they reduced their presence and opted to reveal new games elsewhere.
The habits of players also shifted, with a decline in popularity of physical games in boxes and a rise in mobile games, which surpassed PC gaming in revenue in 2016. The gaming industry shifted towards digital distribution.
Due to the pandemic, E3 was canceled in 2020 and transitioned to a virtual format in 2021. It was canceled again in 2022 and failed to recover. The permanent cancellation of E3 was previously reported by The Washington Post.
Following the announcement of E3’s end, the Entertainment Software Association emphasized its focus on advocating for its member companies and the industry workforce through its social media channels.