E3 2020 has been officially cancelled

The 2020 installment of E3 has been cancelled due to the coronavirus.

The news was revealed this morning via a statement from the Entertainment Software Association. “Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today,” they said on the E3 website.

While E3 might not take place in Los Angeles, there are talks of holding special digital conferences. XBox head Phil Spencer revealed the company will hold their own digital event, which will be revealed in the following weeks. While Nintendo hasn’t said anything yet, they’re likely to hold a major Nintendo Direct sometime in June.

E3 will return to Los Angeles in 2021.

Sony to skip E3 2020

With the forthcoming release of the PlayStation 5, Sony revealed plans to skip E3 yesterday.

In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, a spokesperson stated, "We have great respect for the ESA as an organization, but we do not feel the vision of E3 2020 is the right venue for what we are focused on this year.” Sony will be busy promoting their upcoming console in other ways leading up to its release.

The ESA has responded to Sony’s decision with a statement of their own. “E3 is a signature event celebrating the video game industry and showcasing the people, brands and innovations redefining entertainment loved by billions of people around the world. E3 2020 will be an exciting, high-energy show featuring new experiences, partners, exhibitor spaces, activations, and programming that will entertain new and veteran attendees alike. Exhibitor interest in our new activations is gaining the attention of brands that view E3 as a key opportunity to connect with video game fans worldwide,” they stated.

This is Sony’s second time skipping the popular video game convention. They didn’t attend last year’s event, which led to some people believing Sony would bring back the PlayStation Experience to promote the PlayStation 5. Originally launched in 2002, the event was revived 12 years later to mark the PlayStation’s 20th anniversary. It would continue in North America until 2017. The last PlayStation Experience took place in Thailand in 2018.

The PlayStation 5 will arrive with a handful of launch titles, including Watch Dogs: Legion and Godfall.