“It’s often tough to separate the facts from the conjecture on E3, but unsurprisingly I’m really not hearing good things. Would not be surprised at all if it’s called off this week – but I hope it isn’t. I feel so sorry for those behind it who did everything asked of them,” Robinson said on Twitter.

Hollie Bennett, who heads influences and engagement at Frontier Developments, said it’s a “pity because this is easily the cheapest show floor prices have ever been like it’s WILD how much they’ve dropped. They have some good plans too. This year really feels like a great shot at E3 coming back too.”

Though Robinson hopes it still goes ahead and was initially “super positive” about it, there’s currently “too much noise right now for me to be confident.”

This year’s show is organized by ReedPop, known for events like C2E2, EGX, New York Comic Con, PAX East, and much more, instead of the Entertainment Software Association. It hasn’t responded to Ubisoft pulling out of the show or offered any indication of its cancellation.

June will still be busy when it comes to gaming events. The Summer Game Fest returns on June 9th, while the Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct are scheduled for June 11th. Ubisoft Forward Live will also occur on June 12th, while Sony is rumored to host a new PlayStation Showcase in the same month.

It's often tough to separate the facts from the conjecture on E3, but unsurprisingly I'm really not hearing good things. Would not be surprised at all if it's called off this week – but I hope it isn't. I feel so sorry for those behind it who did everything asked of them

— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) March 28, 2023

That's a pity because this is easily the cheapest show floor prices have ever been, like it's WILD how much they've dropped. They have some good plans too, this year really feels like a great shot at E3 coming back too 🙁

— Hollie Bennett (@HollieB) March 28, 2023

I was feeling super positive about it. I hope it still goes ahead, but there's too much noise right now for me to be confident

— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) March 28, 2023

“E3 has fostered unforgettable moments across the industry throughout the years. While we initially intended to have an official E3 presence, we’ve made the subsequent decision to move in a different direction and will be holding a Ubisoft Forward Live event on June 12th in Los Angeles. We look forward to sharing more details with our players very soon.”

Organizer ReedPop, which is in charge of organizing the show this year over the Entertainment Software Associated, has yet to comment on this turn of events.

Ubisoft previously promised a “strong lineup” for E3 2023, but following rumors of delays for Assassin’s Creed Mirage and The Crew: Motorfest, it remains to be seen if plans changed. As such, Mirage should get a gameplay reveal along with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (which may also get a release window). Who knows? Skull and Bones could also appear to announce another release date before its next inevitable delay. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.