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Journalism of Courage
It’s the end of an era for gamers. E3, the annual gaming extravaganza that brought us some of the most memorable moments in gaming history, has been axed for good.
The organisers announced the news in a farewell statement, saying: “After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye.” They thanked the fans, exhibitors, media, and partners for their support and added: “Thanks for the memories. GGWP [good game well played]”.
E3, short for Electronic Entertainment Expo, was the place to be for gaming enthusiasts and professionals alike. It started in 1995 in LA, right after the PlayStation hit the market and a year before the Nintendo 64 made its debut. It was the ultimate stage for new games and technology, where the likes of Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii were first revealed to the world.
The 2005 edition was the peak of E3’s popularity, attracting a whopping 70,000 visitors. But that was also the beginning of the end, as some of the major players in the industry started to pull out and host their own events. Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Sony were among the first to ditch E3 and launch their games at their own venues and online platforms.
E3 tried to adapt and reinvent itself, but it couldn’t keep up with the changing landscape of gaming. The pandemic dealt the final blow, forcing the cancellation of the 2020 and 2023 expos. The last E3 was held online in 2021, but it failed to generate the same buzz and excitement as the previous ones.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the industry body that ran E3, confirmed to the BBC that there will be no more E3 in the future. ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis said in a statement: “ESA’s focus and priority remain advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce who fuel positive cultural and economic impact every day.”
