On Wednesday, we learnedE3 2020will not happen as growing concerns over the coronavirus continue to throw into question whether big public events will occur. The news arrives just three months before E3 2020’s intended June 9 to 11 event date.
The E3 (a.k.a. Electronic Entertainment Expo) organizers released a full statement on theevent’s siteexplaining why this major gaming and tech event would not go on as planned due to coronavirus concerns. The statement begins with:
“After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors, and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
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.”
The E3 2020 cancellation statement continues, addressing refunds for attendees and a plan of action going forward.
“Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds. We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3Expo.com. We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media, and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.”
As previously mentioned, E3 2020 is the latest large-scale public event to be cancelled due to international concerns over the spread of COVID-19, more commonly referred to as the coronavirus. Just a week prior to this news, we learned SXSW 2020, a major event for the city of Austin, Texas and key festival in the film industry,was canceledafter numerous studios and individuals announced they wouldn’t be attending.Varietyreported this week TV game showsJeopardy!andWheel of Fortunewould be taped without their regular studio audiences due to coronavirus concerns combined with concerns over the health of respective hostsAlex TrebekandPat Sajak, both of whom have had major health events in recent months. As for the movie industry, serious assessments about whether the Cannes Film Festival should go on are in the works and the release date of major tentpole picNo Time to Diehasbeen moved backfrom April to November.
For more, gohereto learn more on every event postponed or canceled because of coronavirus concerns.
