According to Video Game Chronicle's sources, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) planned to charge a fee to access some of this year's E3 like on-demand game demos or a ‘premium’ package that grants extra access (and was reportedly pitched to publishers at $35). However, the ESA addressed those claims via a tweet from the official E3 account, stating that "E3’s 2021 digital show is a free event for all attendees".

E3’s 2021 digital show is a free event for all attendees. We’re excited to fill you in on all the real news for the event very soon. https://t.co/HzTzaQEosx

— E3 (@E3) April 1, 2021

​

Speaking to Video Game Chronicle after they published their story, an ESA spokesperson further confirmed that "there will be no elements at E3 2021 that will be behind a paid-for pass or paywall".

So it seems like we will all be able to virtually attend E3 this year. Are there any particular games or announcement you'd like to see showcased for the event?

SOURCE​

 

[banjo2]

oh great, now you someone brought religion into this

 

[mattyxarope]

I miss in person E3. I was there in 2015,16 and 17

Even waiting to see the event online was exciting then.

But I don't think that E3 is going to ever go back to what it was at its height in the mid 2000s or mid 2010s. Companies realized that they could do the same thing themselves with no middleman and no competition.

 

[Xzi]

It's not about me; it's how the world has gone crazy stupid, forcing us to change our lives because the people in power say so.

I don't know about you, but I never had much desire to attend E3 in person even before the pandemic. Nothing's changed for me on that front.

 

[HarveyHouston]

Its because of what happened to people listening to what the experts say regarding pandemic safety. As in, not listening.
What about people being "free" to NOT get sick because of those people?

Thank you for proving my point. I hope those with eyes wide open can see how this correlates to what I'm talking about.

 

[Xzi]

Thank you for proving my point. I hope those with eyes wide open can see how this correlates to what I'm talking about.

Nobody knows what you're talking about. Yes, the US government badly fucked up the response to COVID-19, especially early on, but so did the general public. If not for states like Florida that refused to lockdown for even a single day, we could be sitting pretty like New Zealand with zero cases. Regardless, things will be more or less back to normal come summer/fall when a majority of adults are vaccinated. Then you'll have to find something new to bitch about.

 

[Jonna]

You guys just don't get it, do you? It's not about me; it's how the world has gone crazy stupid, forcing us to change our lives because the people in power say so. What happened to the Bible verse where we were supposed to live where Christ made us "free... and [we] shall be free indeed"? Now, I'm not saying "yes" to anarchy, but the heavy legislature and pandemic mandates that are in California are the reason that E3 is forced to be digital only, two years in a row. There should be more freedom than that!

Think what you like. I'm just glad I don't live in California.

Open a topic about watching video games online, find posts with a Bible lesson.

Yep. What else did I expect?

 

[Benja81]

Thank you for proving my point. I hope those with eyes wide open can see how this correlates to what I'm talking about.

Maybe you're confused. What I'm saying is that its very ironic and hypocritical how people complain about freedom and rights..to be irresponsible in a pandemic? But fail to realize that in doing so they are violating every other person's right to be as safe as possible from this virus. Each time an irresponsible person acts out, everyone in their vicinity is now more likely to get sick, and it goes on exponentially from there. Eyes wide open? Maybe open up your brain to what the experts are saying and practice some logical thinking, instead of some random verse and conspiracy mongers.

 

[Taleweaver]

You guys just don't get it, do you? It's not about me; it's how the world has gone crazy stupid, forcing us to change our lives because the people in power say so. What happened to the Bible verse where we were supposed to live where Christ made us "free... and [we] shall be free indeed"? Now, I'm not saying "yes" to anarchy, but the heavy legislature and pandemic mandates that are in California are the reason that E3 is forced to be digital only, two years in a row. There should be more freedom than that!

Think what you like. I'm just glad I don't live in California.

Wrong. Most religious (or at least Christian) events have moved to online ceremonies as well. So don't bring this "but muh religion!" argument here, as it's not shared with your religion in the first place. Meaning: at best, you flipped through the bible in search for something you can use to back up your belief. Either way, this whole "it's not about me" is bullshit.

Also: for someone claiming not to endorse anarchy, you're...erm...actually kind of fully endorsing anarchy there. I'd consider it a respectable and honorable stance if you were standing up for something important...but this is E3 we're talking about.

 

[xdarkmario]

i could have went to e3 in 2019 and meet some people i wanted to see. damn i really missed the LAST e3 EVER just because i was doing overtime at work on a Saturday!!! this regret will be carried to my GRAVE

also MODS cleanup on isle 4

 

[Hells Malice]

E3 for normies will basically be the same as it always is. So anyone fit to complain...don't bother? You'll actually probably get more info than ever before.

The actual value of E3 is going there, meeting developers in person and getting to try exclusive scheduled-only demos. Handing out some business cards doesn't hurt either. But you really don't see much or any of that on the public side since it's often very restrictive about collecting footage, or it's just too much of a pain to do. Or you're falling asleep watching a commentated demo of Control in a dark, cold room and you feel reeeally embarrassed and hope you didn't snore. I remember our Nintendo guide said she could take pictures for us but we couldn't take any, and the ones she took didn't show much or any of the games. So yeah, for press this online thing probably sucks depending on what ends up being available (who knows, they might send out press-only demos). But for normies there's literally no difference except the thousands who normally choose to pay ridiculous fees to stand in line for 12 hours and clog up the place.

Wonder if we'll get any interesting announcements after such a shitshow of a year. More Rune Factory 5 info plx

 

[BlazeMasterBM]

Don't really care. *finds out that it's on femboy friday* CEEEEELABRATE GOOD TIMES COME ON!!!

 

[Deleted member 534570]

Well, I've never attended an actual E3 event, so this will be a first for me. Imagine if E3 was collab-ing with VRChat to make a full-fledged E3 2021 world that people can drop into. Though, that wouldn't work since there's (I think) a cap on how many people can join in.

 

[Deleted User]

To be honest, I'd rather wait for the YouTube upload on all respective Companies' Webpages than watch a premiere; a few hours isn't going to make a difference.

That said, the live audience reaction in these events are what holds my interest when watching; from the Yes-Men mindlessly clapping and swooning over every other word out of the Spokeperson's mouth to testosterone-emulating grunts as reaction to whatever Gameplay Footage seems manly; doesn't help that the Military are now recruiting Gaming Teams and inadvertently rubbing off some of their culture.

If there was ever a case for Fanboy-ism in Gaming Journalism, any clip from these events would make it.