WASHINGTON: The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the end of the long-running E3 videogame trade show, which has been a central showcase for the US and global video game industry for over 20 years.
Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, stated, “After more than two decades of serving as a central showcase for the US and global video game industry, ESA has decided to end E3.”
Pierre-Louis also added, “ESA’s focus and priority remain advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce who fuel positive cultural and economic impact every day.”
For the past 20 years, the Washington-based ESA has sponsored the show annually in Los Angeles. However, the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and a virtual version was held in 2021.
E3 was once a major launchpad for new releases from the biggest video gaming players, with major consoles such as the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 showcased at a 2005 show, according to the Washington Post.
However, major gaming players have recently chosen to announce their own digital gatherings, and last year, gaming titans such as Xbox, Nintendo, and Sony declined to attend the attempt to revive the event. – AFP
