Devolver Digital and Limited Run Games are the latest companies to confirm plans to host digital E3 events following the show’s cancellation.
Organiser theEntertainment Software Association(ESA) said on Wednesday thatE3 2020would no longer go ahead due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19), forcing many games businesses to alter their promotional activities.
“The week of E3 has always been a big part of what we do and are genuinely bummed about the cancelation of the event itself,”Devolver Digitaltweeted.
“Lots to juggle but right now we plan on having a livestream Devolver Direct / press conference and possibly more.”
Limited Run Gamesalsotweeted: “#E3Cancelled, but the show must go on!
“Join us for #LRG3, our third totally-live, totally-bitchin press conference for the biggest announcements in the future of physical video games: June 8th at 3pm ET on http://twitch.tv/limitedrungames.”
Announcing E3 2020’s cancellation, the ESA said it’s exploring options “to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news” in June 2020.
Following E3’s cancellation,Xbox said it will hold a digital eventto replace its plans for the show, whileUbisoftalso said it will “explore” the option of a replacement online event.
Nintendohas said it’sconsidering various ways to engage with its fansin 2020 following E3’s cancellation. “We’ll continue to be flexible and redirect our efforts to other ways of keeping our fans up to date about our activities and products.”
Warner Bros. Gamesreportedly had big announcements scheduled for E3including a new Batman title, an open-world Harry potter game, and the next project from Arkham developerRocksteady Studios.
The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, which was labelled a pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday, has led to the cancellation of several major video game events planned for the first half of 2020 including theGame Developers Conference,SXSWandBitSummit.
