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The Xbox E3 event will still happen, just online
E3, the most high-profile conference in the multibillion-dollar business of video games, has been canceled this year, but that doesn't mean the industry is going to stop altogether. Instead of hosting a massive stage show at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles this summer, the Xbox team is moving the conference online.
E3 2020 is officially canceled
E3 won't be happening this year. Today, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) confirmed that the annual show -- known for its glitzy press conferences and blockbuster video game reveals -- won't be going ahead. The decision confirms reporting by Ars Technica and Bloomberg yesterday. The cancellation, unsurprisingly, is due to coronavirus fears. E3 is an almost week-long event that consumes Los Angeles and attracts attendees from all over the globe, so the health risks were substantial.
E3 2020 registration opens February 15 at 11AM ET
If you're determined to see games for next-gen consoles months in advance, your opportunity might be close at hand. The ESA is opening registration for E3 2020 through the E3 website on February 15th at 11AM Eastern. You'll have to pay $165 to visit the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 10th and 11th if you're part of the general public (only the industry and press get in on June 9th), but the ESA is promising perks that include a new "floor experience" where you'll see conversations with creators.
Why Sony is skipping E3 (again)
For the second year in a row, Sony is passing on E3, the video game industry's largest annual trade show. The reasons why are numerous. For one, many believe that E3's influence and cultural relevance is slowly evaporating. Roughly 66,000 people attended the show last June, down from 69,000 the year prior. For comparison, Gamescom -- Europe's largest fan festival and industry-focused gaming convention -- has stood firm with roughly 370,000 attendees the past two years.
