The dates and format for E3 2023 have been revealed, with the ESA and organisers ReedPop creating a four-day show that will run from 13-16th June, blending together business and general public across that span.
Returning to the Los Angeles Convention Centre, the ESA and ReedPop have sought to reimagine the E3 format as it tries to make a return to an in-person event after having had to cancel the 2020 and 2022 events, and being digital-only in 2021. In doing so, they’re blending together days dedicated for business and for the general public, in a manner not too dissimilar to Gamescom.
Here’s how that will work.
- 13-14th June – Business-only access
- 15th June – Business and general public
- 16th June – General public only
Throughout, half of the available halls and spaces will be reserved specifically for games industry developers, publishers, distributors and the gaming media, while consumers will have access to the flashy booths and theatres where they might get an up-close glimpse of upcoming games.
Of course, the real question is will this get companies to buy back into the E3 format?
ReedPop’s head of games B2B, Christopher Dring said, “Some games companies want to showcase in different spaces and at different times. And that’s absolutely their right.”
“E3 will officially partner with as many of these other events as will have it, and for free. But even those who aren’t joining officially, it will still support the games and companies within those shows.”
This seems to imply that E3 will be more open to games companies, and shows that have increasingly existed outside or loosely adjacent to its sphere of influence. in particular, Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest will be returning in 2023 during that E3 window, Keighley having once fronted E3’s own coverage and now creating a rival showcase. Elsewhere, Microsoft has largely allied with E3, filling some of the void that has been left over the past few years as EA, Activision, Sony and Ubisoft have started to drift away from the show or sought to host their events at other times of year.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
