E3 Tech Expo concludes

E3, one of the world’s largest video game conventions, is closing for good, organizers said Tuesday, ending what was once an annual ritual for players and creators after years of struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.

“After more than two decades of E3, each bigger than the last, it’s time to say goodbye,” the host, the nonprofit Entertainment Software Association, announced on its website. website. “Thanks for the memories,” it said, adding: “GGWP,” or good game, well played.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, has been held in Los Angeles every year since 1995, except when it was canceled during the pandemic. It was one of the most high-profile locations where game makers showed off their creations to fans before they went on sale, sometimes with dazzling demonstrations. Celebrities like Eminem and Rihanna appeared.

E3 was originally aimed at journalists and industry professionals. But the convention attracted so many fans that organizers reduced it to an invitation-only conference in 2007. As of June, the convention was still attracting about 50,000 industry members.

E3 later faced competition from fan-oriented conventions such as Comic-Con, the Penny Arcade Expo and MineCon, which were becoming increasingly popular. It also lost partners including Nintendo and Sony, reducing their presence and opting to unveil new games elsewhere.

Players’ habits have also changed. While physical games, with discs in boxes, declined in popularity, mobile games, catching up on PC gaming in revenue in 2016. The gaming industry shifted to digital distribution.

During the pandemic, organizers canceled E3 in 2020 and made it virtual in 2021. In 2022 it was canceled again and never reinstated. The final cancellation of E3 was previously reported by The Washington Post.

After announcing the end of E3, the Entertainment Software Association said further social media that it “remained focused on advocating for ESA member companies and the industry workforce.”