E3 2020 has been cancelled over ‘growing’ COVID-19 coronavirus fears

Crowds gather at the Xbox E3 2015 Briefing on Monday, June 15, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for Microsoft/AP Images)

E3 2020 is the latest tech conference to bite the dust in the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Organiser ESA on Wednesday issued a press release alerting gamers and media that the conference will be cancelled in light of “growing concerns” over the outbreak.

“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,” said the organiser.

“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.”

While there won’t be a show floor, there are chances that E3 2020 will be a virual conference.

ESA notes that it is “exploring options” with the participants “to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements”.

E3 is regarded as one of the biggest entertainment expos in the world, and joins a growing list of tech events cancelled in 2020 including MWC, GDC, and SXSW.

Feature image: the 2015 Microsoft E3 briefing, via Microsoft

Andy Walker, former editor
More

News

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest in digital insights. sign up

Welcome to Memeburn

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest in digital insights.