One of the biggest events in the video game industry will be making a comeback in 2023. Organizers announced that the Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as E3, will return as a hybrid trade show next year.
A press release states that it will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) from June 13 to June 16. As a hybrid exhibition, visitors can expect both in-person and digital activities.
Entertainment Software Organization (ESA) has partnered with ReedPop for E3 2023. ReedPop is the group behind several huge events like PAX, New York Comic-Con, Star Wars Celebration, and EGX.
"E3 is one of the global gaming industry's few opportunities to come together, unite as one loud voice, and show the world what it is creating," said Kyle Marsden-Kish, ReedPop Vice President of Gaming. E3 will also feature different industry and consumer spaces. From June 13 to June 15, E3 will host industry-level segments such as professional meetings for its E3 Business Days.
Consumers can go hands-on with up-and-coming titles and connect with developers and content creators during the E3 Gamer Days. The E3 Gamer Days will take place between June 15 and 16 and will be set up in a different hall than the industry area.
ESA launched the first E3 in 1995. Until 2017, it was exclusive to industry players and other professionals only. But even after opening its doors to the general public, the event's attendance has suffered a decline in recent years. The event's cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic compounded this issue.
ESA managed to pull through the first virtual E3 in 2021, but it left members of the video game sector "underwhelmed," according to ScreenRant.
For 2023, organizers vowed to revive the "spirit of E3."
"Our vision is to reunite the industry by re-establishing the traditional E3 week, bring back that spark, and restore E3's role as a truly magical global showcase event for game creators and consumers," Marsden-Kish added.