The cancellation of E3 2020 was a blow to game companies and fans alike, and also raised questions about the event's long-term future as game publishers move to host their own direct-to-consumer online shows. As one industry analyst pointed out, if publishers succeed in reaching fans directly, what is the point of holding E3 in the first place?

Despite this, and despite what may happen over the next 12 months, the Entertainment Software Association intends to continue the show next year. As Gamesindustry.biz reported over the weekend, the ESA told its partners that E3 2021 will take place June 15-17, with a pre-E3 press conference with major publishers perhaps a few days before. He also said that E3 2021 will be a "restructured" E3, but gave no details on how it will be changed.

In response to the cancellation of E3 2020, several publishers, including Microsoft, Ubisoft, E3, and Devolver Digital, said they are committed to or considering holding another online event if E3 does not take place.

Unfortunately, the ESA did not provide an update on its own plans for an online event to replace E3 2020; when it announced the cancellation in March, the ESA said it was "exploring options for coordinating an online experience in June 2020 to showcase industry announcements and news We are exploring options with our members," but nothing further was said.

Update: An E3 representative refused to confirm the reported E3 2021 date, but stated that a digital presentation was still being worked on in lieu of E3 2020.

"Given the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be hosting an E3 2020 online event in June. Instead, we willwww.E3expo.com,を含む個々の企業の発表を促進し、紹介するために出展者と協力する予定です」と担当者は述べた。「私たちは、2021年に私たちの業界とコミュニティが一緒になって、新しい提案を強調し、私たちの聴衆を感動させるような再創造されたE3を提示することを楽しみにしています。" in the coming months," a representative said.