Digital events may have been forced upon the industry due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, but their convenience has become clear for everyone to see. E3 2021 is, of course, a purely digital event – we’re still in the midst of a pandemic – but what happens next year, when (hopefully) the COVID situation will have been brought under control?
According to the Entertainment Software Association president Stanley Pierre-Louis, though those are decisions that are yet to be finalized, there’s a likelihood that all future E3 events will be a mix of physical and digital.
“This will provide us with an opportunity to present to members of the industry, media, and fans an opportunity to participate fully, and I think that provides a real unique opportunity to learn this year what we can apply to future events that will probably be a mix of physical and digital,” he said while speaking with GamesIndustry. “But that’s to be determined. We’ve got to figure out where we all are moving forward.”
Pierre-Louis reiterated, however, that for now, the ESA remains focused on this year’s event, and nothing is set in stone where future events are concerned.
“The shape of that is yet to be determined, and we hope to learn from this year’s event what transfers well,” he said. “I can’t speak to future E3s because we really want to focus on E3 2021 and ensure this is a great experience for exhibitors, the media, and fans alike.”
E3 2021, meanwhile, kicks off in a couple of days, on June 12, and will run until June 15. The likes of Microsoft, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Capcom, and Square Enix will have dedicated presentations, among others. You can check out the full E3 2021 schedule through here.