E3 2018 is a few months behind us now, but it looks like we’re getting some very interesting news regarding E3 2019. In a surprise statement, PlayStation announced that they will not be present at next year’s trade event.
In the statement made to Polygon, a PlayStation representative confirmed that they will not be at the event. This news is a bit of a bombshell. PlayStation has been a huge presence at E3 for the last 24 years so the news of them not being their next year has already sparked conversation as to why. Many believe that it’s because they are working on a new console, the “PlayStation 5,” which means they might want to take a year off so that they could have the huge reveal at E3 2020. Others believe that PlayStation just might not have anything big to announce while others believe that PlayStation is moving away from E3 altogether.
So far PlayStation is the only major company that will not be at E3 2019. The ESA also issued a press release talking about the future of E3 and it’s looking like we will see some noticeable changes.
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“With an expanded emphasis on featuring never-before-seen content and providing immersive new experiences for attendees, E3 2019 will be unlike any prior E3. In addition, this year’s E3 will include an expanded presence for burgeoning video game sectors, including esports and the independent video game development community,” the press release states.
It will be interesting to see where E3 goes next year. Last year it seemed that event planners were finally getting a handle on balancing industry and media time with general attendees. But with the continual rise of esports and the growing indie community, this new focus was inevitable. We can probably expect to see a larger presence of IndieCade and more dedicated esports events like the Fornite Pro-Am.
“E3 2018 marked the first-ever Fortnite Pro-Am, which brought together people from all corners of the community for the love of the game in support of charitable causes,” said Donald Mustard, worldwide creative director, Epic Games said in the statement. “We also welcomed attendees into Epic’s largest E3 booth to date, and then threw a Party Royale. Our team made unforgettable memories with players, partners and friends.”
With PlayStation skipping the event, it looks like there will be some additional room to bring in other big developers to that space. Microsoft/Xbox, Nintendo, Activision, Bethesda Softworks, Capcom, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive Software, Epic Games, Konami Digital Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Ubisoft are all committed to attending for now. It also looks like ESA will be expanding E3 beyond the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“E3 2018 broke records, and we sold out of both exhibit space and attendee badges,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, interim CEO of ESA, in the release. “We are confident that, through the continued creative innovations delivered by our participating member companies, E3 2019 will deliver the same kind of excitement and energy. This year, we’re looking forward to expanding E3 beyond the walls of the LACC and connecting gamers and attendees with incredible video game content throughout the entire LA Live complex.”
The absence of PlayStation will be deeply felt, and with their announcement that they will not be holding The PlayStation Experience next year, who knows what they’re up to now. However, it looks like E3 2019 will be bigger, and possibly better.
E3 2019 will be held June 11-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
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