A Reflection on Two Decades of Gaming's Premier Expo E3
Via Deadline
The Story
E3 — the Electronic Entertainment Expo — officially shut down in December 2023, ending a nearly 30-year run as the gaming industry's most prominent annual showcase. Launched in 1995, E3 became the event where console makers, publishers, and developers unveiled their biggest titles and hardware announcements each summer in Los Angeles.
The expo's decline accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, as major players including Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo opted out in favor of their own direct-to-consumer digital streams. The planned 2023 edition was canceled after key exhibitors withdrew, and the Entertainment Software Association subsequently announced the permanent closure of the show — marking a broader shift toward studio-controlled online announcements.
The expo's decline accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, as major players including Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo opted out in favor of their own direct-to-consumer digital streams. The planned 2023 edition was canceled after key exhibitors withdrew, and the Entertainment Software Association subsequently announced the permanent closure of the show — marking a broader shift toward studio-controlled online announcements.
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