E3 2021 may have just received its first details today, but The Entertainment Software Association is already looking towards the future. The E3 organizers have confirmed that E3 2022 is planned as an in-person physical event, one that will build on the foundations paved by what the “reimagined” E3 2021 is doing with its virtual “hyper-engaged” event this year.
“The ESA looks forward to coming back together to celebrate E3 2022 in person,” the E3 2021 press release concludes, confirming that next year’s event is planned to return to normal, though just how normal is up in the air.
Even before the pandemic upset the natural order of industry events for 2020, E3 was already facing some pressure to adapt. Exhibitors were beginning to migrate away from the overly expensive booth space in favor of private meeting rooms for industry networking, connecting directly with their audience via digital events, and even just not participating in E3 altogether. We noted that E3 2019 felt very empty compared to prior years. It was facing an identity crisis, caught between being a premiere industry trade show and a consumer expo. E3 2020 was the first time the event had been canceled in 25 years. E3 2022 will be the first physical E3 event since E3 2019. E3 organizers also faced a lot of scrutiny and criticism after a massive leak of private attendee information in 2019, as well as their subsequent mishandling of the situation, caused many to lose e...