E3 2022 Goes Online-Only Because of the Pandemic. This huge Trade event E3 would take place in this year just as we all expect. But with one major disappointing change: it would be taking place fully online.
This is not a surprising announcement given the recent massive uptick in variant-of-concern Omicron transmission, which is fueling record COVID-19 case numbers in the US where the trade show would take place.
E3 Would Take Place Online Again
The Electronic Entertainment Expo mainly referred to as E3 is one very huge trade show that takes place every summer. Typically speaking, this event takes place in-person with publishers and developers showing their game products, among other things.
This is the third time that the trade show was broadcast as an online “global interactive” event, but it would not be the last time. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) recently confirmed that the E3 2022 would be taking place online, as well based on the widespread circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, another wave of cases, and the coming of a new, particularly concerning Variant.
The ESA talked about a brief statement concerning the decision, stating that “Due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and attendees, E3 will not be held in person in 2022. We remain incredibly excited about the future of E3 and look forward to announcing more details soon.”
Although we would be required to wait for additional information, the event would likely be held online this coming summer along with the same general format that we saw in the previous year. it’s quite possible that the ESA may shake things up a little bit, however. When called for more confirmation the event will be scheduled to hold online, the association told venture beat that it is “happy that an online event would be taking place.”
E3 Has Been Held Online Before
We are still about half a year away from the official planned date for this event, but given the pandemic’s history and its current state, it is not quite surprising that the collective behind E3 has made the decision to be cautious.
When it comes to most major events, E3 often draw a very large number, including international travellers, and such gatherings would seem to be both personal and public health safety risk.
The decision might have been said to have been fueled by recent criticism over CES 2022 and the decision to carry out the event in person despite Omicron. Some of them happen to have given the electronics a “superspreader” event based on a large number of people that have attended and the event’s typically packed, cramped nature.
Why would this major decision be made by ESA in January? Most likely for logistics reasons. Although this event would be carried out most likely in this summer, months of work is expected to get completed ahead of time, which includes establishing which companies would be taking part and their exhibition needs.
Verdict
This is definitely not the very first time that a major event has transitioned to become an online-only format due to the pandemic, health concerns, and the regulations restricting on a much larger gathering.
BlizzCon 2021 was held online, while some other major events like IFA 2021 was not entirely cancelled. Making an early decision to hold the event online would help safeguard against the possibility of the last-minute changes an unexpected future COVID-19 wave might actually cause.
