The Coronavirus has possibly claimed another victim, in terms of public events. According to multiple different insider sources, this year's E3 has been canceled, of course, due to the outbreak of COVID-19. As is the case with previous E3's, they take place yearly in Los Angeles, one of the United States' largest cities, which is currently in a state of emergency due to the virus. Rumors were further fueled by developer Devolver Digital stating on Twitter for people to "cancel your E3 flights and hotels, y'all". Should an official cancellation of E3 happen in the coming hours or days, this would mean companies would need to adjust their scheduled announcements, or take things digital, much like Nintendo already does. At this time, E3 2020 is still set for June 9-11, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

UPDATE: In an email made to press attending the event, the ESA formally announced the cancellation of this year's E3.

WASHINGTON – MARCH 11, 2020 – After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.

Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.

Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.

We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com.

We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.

For vendors and companies that purchased booth space for the event, the ESA will be refunding those who request it. As for the event itself, industry leaders are in talks of trying to organize a possible digital showing in place of E3, though nothing is confirmed just yet. Next year's E3 is still scheduled to take place, in June of 2021.

 

[KingVamp]

I seen a lot of people saying this was going to be their first time, too.

 

[MaxiBash]

"E3 has been cancelled."
Yup, now I'm angry.

 

[Chary]

I seen a lot of people saying this was going to be their first time, too.

Which baffles me—this is a trade show trying to cosplay as a convention. I get it: E3 has this allure to everyone who has grown up with it, but there’s not much to do for non-industry. But just do PAX, because there’s more for you there. E3 is regular attendees dodging media running around for meetings and sitting in 6 hour lines for Pokémon SwSh.

 

[Jayro]

GOD FUCKING DAMN IT.

*rightfully trashes my room at the hands of morons*

 

[ken28]

It'll be incredibly interesting to see E3 next year if this turns out to be the case. Companies will shift to a digital event this year and realise there's not really much in it for them with the show itself.

no next year in will be the corina virus the year after next year it will be the cortana virus and so on....

 

[The Catboy]

And this is what happens when a gross overreaction is created by the media and consumes everything.

 

[ken28]

And this is what happens when a gross overreaction is created by the media and consumes everything.

yeah of ocurse more people get infected cause there isnt a vacine for it unlike most flues. And of course those who mostlikely would die from a flu/influence also die from corona... no suprise there...

 

[supergamer368]

dang how are we gonna see nintendo’s presentation now /s

 

[Bladexdsl]

dang how are we gonna see nintendo’s presentation now /s

in their directs like any other time. they don't even bother with e3 anymore.

 

[The Catboy]

yeah of ocurse more people get infected cause there isnt a vacine for it unlike most flues. And of course those who mostlikely would die from a flu/influence also die from corona... no suprise there...

The issue here is that there has been massive overreaction and media-driven fear. I am not against being careful but E3 is months away and thus not impossible to see things change. I guess they have to give 3 months notice, but it's still meh for me. This is a personal gripe about how people are reacting more than it is about E3 not happening this year.

 

[DANTENDO]

The issue here is that there has been massive overreaction and media-driven fear. I am not against being careful but E3 is months away and thus not impossible to see things change. I guess they have to give 3 months notice, but it's still meh for me. This is a personal gripe about how people are reacting more than it is about E3 not happening this year.

Thers no bloody overreaction the spread is big just because you ain't got it you think everything is hunky dory lol

 

[Bladexdsl]

that's what the media does spreads fear and panic (and lies.) they've done such a great job here everyone is going nuts buying TOILET ROLLS

 

[Kioku]

that's what the media does spreads fear and panic (and lies)

It's funny that people say this.. But, if SARS and ebola were worse, why did no one react the way they are to CV? The media over blew those as well. Why were there no major shutdowns?

 

[JuanMena]

that's 2 words actually

2 more words: nO, rEaLlY?

 

[Deleted User]

What do you mean? I've seen shaun of the dead, world war Z, zombieland and a slew of other zombie movies. I've also had more than a few zombie survival games under my belt. Bring it on!

*virus is already in the air he breathes*
Damn...now how do I reload my previous savegame in real life?

Go to the winchester, have a pint and wait for this all to blow over.

 

[Bladexdsl]

What do you mean? I've seen shaun of the dead, world war Z, zombieland and a slew of other zombie movies.

quite simple really. we're going to build a wall and we're going to have the Z build it!

 

[The Catboy]

Thers no bloody overreaction the spread is big just because you ain't got it you think everything is hunky dory lol

Literally not what I am saying, I am talking about the mass panic, like bulk buying paper towels and acting like this the Black Death level of threat. This is bad, I am not saying it is not but the reaction most people are having is extremely overblown.
Edit: WHO has now labeled it a pandemic.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51839944
That's actually quite concerning.

 

[ken28]

It's funny that people say this.. But, if SARS and ebola were worse, why did no one react the way they are to CV? The media over blew those as well. Why were there no major shutdowns?

Ebola was mostly Africa and well africa usally isn't relevant for western media or how often do you see them covering the state of corona in Africa? As for Sars in one German docu about corona it kinda hinted at that Sars wasn't that much covered by the media or feared in Général was due the lack of social media back then resulting in a much slower spread of information and even less between normal people. Also the world wasn't as globalized when Sars went around then now so it spread much slower between countries

 

[Valery0p]

Bullshit overated flu if you think you cant handle the virus stay home bunch of hype corona and its cousins will be back next year and so on

https://time.com/5791661/who-coronavirus-pandemic-declaration/
I hope you guys will get proper health care...

 

[skinnyBIGGS]

NOOOOOOO! i have watched E3 for aslong as i can remeber this sux for gamers... maybe they could still stream without crowd lol a mma event in japan canceld fan attendence and the fighters faught without a crowd lol