Comeback of the E3 with the first setback: Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo not there

In our Preview of the gaming year 2023 we not only introduced you to upcoming, potential game highlights, but also asked a few questions that will hopefully be answered in the next eleven months. Among other things, we are very excited to see whether the comeback attempts of the two once dazzling events E3 and BlizzCon can succeed.

Shot across the bow of the E3 steamer

As for E3, we’ve already been to that Announcement that this year there will be a big live event for the first time in four years, skeptical. After all, many publishers have now switched to organizing their own online showcases, which are flanked by major digital events such as the Summer Game Fest or the Game Awards in December. Does anyone even need an E3 these days?

And indeed, it currently looks as if the E3 will not be able to continue the old glory days when it comes back in 2023, when the largest game providers wanted to outdo each other year after year with big live shows and spectacular announcements. As reported by IGNwith Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo three of these “big players” will not even appear at E3 2023.

What are the big guys planning?

According to IGN, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer stated that while they plan to host their own showcase, “which roughly coincides with the event itself“. However, according to IGN, it should not be an option to have a stand at the fair or even to invite people to the live event on site. After all, Phil Spencer would like to pay a visit to the fair himself:

“For me, E3 is simply one of the most important moments in the gaming industry. I love going to LA, seeing thousands of people there, seeing great new things…meeting people in the industry, the fan events we’ve had. I definitely want this to continue.“

IGN also claims to have learned from industry sources that Nintendo and Sony will not be there either. Admittedly, Nintendo hasn’t held a press conference at E3 for almost a decade. At the last live event in 2019, there was still an exhibition area. Sony, on the other hand, was a fixture at E3 for a long time, but had canceled 2019 due to alleged disagreements with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) (via Kotaku).