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Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo reportedly not taking part in E3 2023

While the companies will likely have their own events, reports indicate that they won't be a part of ESA's E3.

Sam Chandler

January 30, 2023 6:00 PM

ESA

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Updated January 31, 2023 at 7:23 p.m. PT: Reports have surfaced of an ESA statement regarding IGN's original article and the state of E3. The ESA statement follows:

As you have likely seen, IGN published an article last night about E3. While we are not able to comment on the specific claims in the article, we wanted to share our commitment to moving forward with E3.

E3 has a rich history within our industry, and we are always heartened to feel the passion for the show and hear what it means to different people. Reviving a tradeshow after a three-year hiatus and a global pandemic was always going to have its challenges, which is why we conducted an extensive search (in consultation with the ESA member companies) to identify the best partner to produce E3. In selecting ReedPOP as our partner, we have been able to tap into their rich history of hosting popular industry events, like PAX, and broader consumer shows, like Comic Con.

They have made strong progress in reshaping the event and have received tremendous support from industry companies of all sizes who are not only thinking about E3 2023, but how E3 fits into marketing plans for 2024 and beyond.

It's important to note that even as the show evolves and adapts, it will not impact the core of ESA’s work for its member companies. Our priority remains advocating for your policy interests on the state and federal level.

We will share news and developments regarding E3 as they are available. If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to me. Thank you for your ongoing support.

The original article follows.

E3 has been in a tricky spot these last few years. After E3 2019, the world was gripped by COVID-19, forcing many companies to rethink how they bring news to the people. It would appear that they’ve realized it’s possible to make video game announcements and presentations without going through the ESA. As such, reports have emerged that the big three console manufacturers will not be taking part in E3 2023.

IGN has reported on January 30, 2023 that Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo will not be a part of the Entertainment Software Association’s E3 nor will they “have a presence on the Los Angeles Convention Center showfloor.” This news comes from multiple knowledgeable sources.

However, just because these titans of the industry won’t be taking part in E3 2023, does not mean they will be absent during the typical mid-year video game announcement cycle. Microsoft still has its Microsoft Theatre where it is likely to host its own show at roughly the same time. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer continues to speak positively about E3 and the excitement surrounding the event, despite the company technically not being a part of the event.

The report from IGN goes on to note a lot of frustrations with the handling of the E3 brand. Sources claim that organizers have left the ESA, leaving the company in a tough position. With new faces trying to set up the event and “missing information”, there’s no telling what this event will be when it rolls around on June 13.

Conflicting reports have come in from ReedPop. Andy Robinson of VGC took to Twitter to state that the new organizer reached out to VGC stating that it had “a tremendous amount of interest” from “the biggest companies in the industry.” With Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo seemingly not a part of the event, it’s not clear who ReedPop is referring to when claiming the “biggest companies” are interested.

New organiser ReedPop told VGC that it has received “a tremendous amount of interest” from many of “the biggest companies in the industry” and that it's confident the line-up will be strong.

— Andy Robinson (@AndyPlaytonic) January 31, 2023

While E3 2023 is sounding shaky, it does not mean that June will be barren. In fact, Geoff Keighley has announced that Summer Game Fest 2023 will kick off on June 8. This is one week before E3 is supposed to start and in recent years has marked the beginning of a deluge of livestreams and presentations from top publishers, developers, and more.

If this year is anything like last year’s week of announcements, it’s likely we’ll see Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo come out swinging with their own presentations around the same dates. It sounds like regardless of what happens with ESA’s E3 moving forward, we’ll still have plenty to get excited about in June.

Sam Chandler

Head of Guides

Hailing from the land down under, Sam Chandler brings a bit of the southern hemisphere flair to his work. After bouncing round a few universities, securing a bachelor degree, and entering the video game industry, he's found his new family here at Shacknews as Head of Guides. There's nothing he loves more than crafting a guide that will help someone. If you need help with a guide, or notice something not quite right, you can message him on X: @SamuelChandler