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E3 is dead, long live E3!

E3, the legendary video game event, has been officially cancelled. The Entertainment Software Association has announced that it has pulled the plug on the E3 convention after more than 20 years of industry milestones and groundbreaking announcements!

Established in 1995, E3 quickly became the premier showcase for video game innovation and an important pilgrimage for video game enthusiasts and industry giants alike.

In particular, E3 has seen the launch of some of the most important consoles in the world of video games, such as the debut of the Nintendo 64 in 1996 and the brilliant introduction of 3D gaming, the PlayStation 4 in 2013 offering a new era of gaming, and the Xbox Series X in 2019, promising unrivalled power.

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Great video games have also been unveiled here, including Final Fantasy VII in 1997, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1998, Super Mario 64 in 1996, Halo: Combat Evolved in 2000, World of Warcraft in 2001, Half-Life 2 in 2003, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2010, The Last of Us in 2012, Cyberpunk 2077 in 2018, and Elden Ring in 2021.

The changing dynamics of the industry and new ways of reaching the public are said to be among the reasons why E3 organizers have chosen to put an end to these major gatherings. Several major events of this type have also been forced to go digital, a trend that was emerging even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

In recent years, several major companies had also withdrawn from the convention, including Sony.

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While other companies like Blizzard Entertainment managed to resume their popular BlizzCon convention in person this autumn, after going virtual during the pandemic, E3 was not so lucky, after the mixed success of their all-virtual conference in 2021, when they had to cancel the 2020 one, and simply chose to give up.

The end of E3 certainly marks the end of an era in the video game industry.

E3 is dead, long live E3, thanks for the memories!

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E3 2023 has officially been cancelled

E3 2023 has officially been cancelled.

IGN first reported the news before the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the lobbying group that organizes the event, confirmed it. Short for Electronics Entertainment Expo, E3 has been a major trade show for the gaming industry since 1995, bringing together the industry to make key announcements related to games and hardware.

In a statement on social media, the ESA noted that will not be going forward either with the traditional Los Angeles-based physical event or any digital alternative this year. However, it didn’t mention plans for 2024 or beyond, and IGN notes that internal emails the group sent to publishers were similarly unclear about the future. Instead, the ESA simply says it’s looking towards “future E3 events.”

Ultimately, news of E3’s cancellation isn’t exactly surprising, given that the writing had been on the wall for some time. Last year, the ESA revealed plans to return to a physical show in 2023 after skipping 2020 and 2022 entirely and doing a poorly received digital event in between in 2021.

As part of that, ESA had partnered with ReedPop, an experienced organizer behind such big conventions as New York Comic Con and Star Wars Celebration. The two had teased a reimagining for the show, but in the months since, not a single publisher had confirmed attendance. Instead, we had only heard that companies like PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox, Ubisoft and Sega would not be at the show. The ESA says it intends to continue working with ReedPop in the future.

This all comes after questions surrounding E3’s relevance had been raised over the past several years. Even in 2019, the last pre-pandemic event, PlayStation had already withdrawn from the show, while companies like Xbox and EA did their own events in the surrounding Los Angeles area. In the day and age of digital distribution, many companies have taken to video presentations like Nintendo Direct that can be streamed via YouTube and Twitch. Naturally, this is far cheaper and easier to plan than renting out physical booth space at a convention centre, and it still allows companies to directly reach fans at home. The past few years of the pandemic have only made such digital formats more popular.

One of the biggest examples is Summer Game Fest, a new show from Canada’s Geoff Keighley, the creator of The Game Awards. Keighley used to work with the ESA, but pivoted instead towards creating his own shows, like Summer Game Fest and Gamescom’s Opening Night Live.

“Four years ago, I realized that E3 wasn’t evolving as it needed to compete in a global, digital world. So we started building what’s next,” Keighley tweeted in response to E3’s cancellation. He then plugged this year’s Summer Game Fest, which will take place on June 8th. Also confirmed for that month are the next Xbox & Bethesda Showcase (June 11th) and Ubisoft Forward (June 12th).

It remains to be seen if the ESA will manage to bring back E3 in 2024, but given the general lack of industry interest in recent years, it doesn’t seem likely.

Image credit: ESA

Source: ESA

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Publishers: please hold more gaming events in Canada

Every year, I put together a round-up of all the gaming-related programming at Fan Expo Canada.

When I did this last year, the list ended up being pretty empty outside of a few prominent voice actors — no demo-filled exhibitor booths in sight. At the time, I chalked this up to COVID; after all, it was a scaled-back show and there were a bunch of restrictions. I expected 2022 would be different.

Narrator: it was not.

 

Ubisoft had an admittedly nifty Assassin’s Creed booth with a few demo stations to showcase some of the series’ games on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, but not a single publisher was present last week with a booth to let you try upcoming games. Moreover, PlayStation and Xbox completely skipped the show, while Nintendo was present only for a Splatoon 3 photo op wall and arts and crafts station. I’ll confess that I was quite disappointed.

Even before COVID, gaming events in Canada have been few and far between. Fan Expo Canada 2019, the last pre-COVID show, had a really solid lineup of game demos, including Final Fantasy VII Remake (PlayStation), Gears 5 (Xbox) and Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Nintendo). Also that year was the Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo (EGLX), which had a huge Nintendo booth. However, that pretty much covers it in terms of major events, and even then, EGLX also quietly went away the following year.

By comparison, the U.S. has historically had so many gaming events. The massive PAX West is happening this weekend in Seattle, and it’s just one of multiple PAX events across the country. E3 shifted to a public-media hybrid show before COVID, and it aims to do that once more in 2023. Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest is also set to have a physical event next year, and that’s to say nothing of The Game Awards that he hosts in Los Angeles, or even Gamescom, Europe’s largest gaming show that he partners with. Before COVID, Xbox also held its own ‘XO’ events in countries like England and Mexico.

Xbox XO19 London

Xbox’s XO19 fan event in London, England.

Now, if you’ve followed our gaming coverage here on MobileSyrup, you may know that Canada is a gaming industry powerhouse. We’re talking third-largest producer of games in the world. Assassin’s Creed, Mass Effect, FIFA, NHL, Rainbow Six Siege, Cuphead, Gotham Knights, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Dead by Daylight, PGA Tour 2K23… these are just some of the many games made in the Great White North. You would think, then, that publishers would do a better job promoting that here in Canada.

Sure, digital demos have been making a big return, and that’s certainly a wonderful way to bring games to people at home. But there’s something special about getting to try them out in person — that communal experience with friends and complete strangers alike. One of my fondest memories of previewing a game was playing Sea of Thieves with a bunch of people I hadn’t met before. Besides, other countries benefit from getting demos at home as well as in-person shows, so why can’t Canada?

And it’s not even just about demos. Take PAX West — you can attend panels with legends like ex-Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aime, Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert and adventure game pioneer Roberta Williams or even meet The Last of Us‘ Neil Druckmann and Troy Baker, among other cool opportunities. Of course, I’m not expecting that such big names would routinely come to hypothetical Canadian events, but even if we’re looking at our homegrown gaming talent, there’s so much to choose from.

To be clear, some publishers have done some really cool things in that regard. At this past Fan Expo, developers from Quebec City’s Beenox and Sledgehammer Toronto held a panel to talk about what it’s like to work on Call of Duty in Canada. At the last-ever (?) EGLX, Ubisoft Toronto hosted demos and meet and greets for Watch Dogs: Legion. And for this year’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, theHalo maker held a cool ‘FanFest’ event in Toronto, years after holding awesome “Media Showcases” in the city. Game companies are notoriously secretive, so it’s always nice to let the public put a face to the people who make the games they love, and to give developers and others in the industry the chance to engage with their fans. Shoutout to the companies who have been doing this in Canada!

And hey, I’ve never put together a big event. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to organize. A lot of time and money and planning goes into this sort of thing. It can’t be done overnight. I get all of that! But I keep looking at everything that happens in the U.S. and abroad and lament the fact that we don’t really have anything like that here. Moreover, it feels like a missed opportunity to not capitalize on Canada’s immense developer pool. Celebrate the fact that we have some of the best game makers in the world! Even if we don’t have dedicated events on the scale of PAX or E3, something smaller like EGLX or even one-offs like Xbox FanFest would be great! Ideally, these would be held across the country, too, and not just in Toronto.

I say all of this because I’m very fortunate to have been able to travel to international events for work. I don’t take that for granted. If anything, it makes me want to share some of those experiences with others! Who knows what the future of gaming events will be in Canada, but hopefully, we start to see more of them in the coming years.

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9 games you may have missed at Summer Game Fest

Summer Game Fest is here, and with it has come a plethora of game announcements and showcases. Whether it’s called E3 or Summer Game Fest, for years, June has been an exciting time for gamers. The month serves as defacto gaming Christmas morning, where developers and publishers pull the curtain back on what they have been working on, and this year has been no different.

Most of the headlines have been dominated by megaliths like Starfield or The Last of Us Part I, but there are plenty of smaller titles that deserve their time in the spotlight as well.

With that in mind, here’s a list of all the games you may have missed during Summer Game Fest 2022’s opening weekend.

Metal: Hellsinger

Part rhythm game, part Doom clone, Metal: Hellsinger looks to be a shooter unlike any other. This FPS takes fast-paced action and pairs it with some of the best heavy metal artists in the world.

Instead of simply running around slaying demons, Hellsinger forces the player to shoot, melee, and reload on the beat. This creates a zen-like experience where the rest of the world melts away around you. All that matters after that is the end of your shotgun and the shredding soundtrack.

Metal: Hellsinger hands-on: First-person demon-slaying, cranked to 11 | Ars Technica

It’s a creative blending of genres that really stands out. Even if you are not a fan of the double kick of bands like Lamb of God or Trivium, this game will have its hooks in you. Overall, it looks to be a head-banging bloody good time.

Release date: September 15, 2022

Skate Story

Skate Story‘s trailer during the Devolver Digital summer showcase hooked me. This is not your typical skating experience. Instead of riffing on the arcade experience of the Tony Hawk franchise, Skate Story offers something a little different.

Developed by one person, this game tasks players with skating through a version of the underworld that looks like some sort of bonkers drug trip. Gone is any semblance of the real world and in its place are geodesic prisms and flashing colors.

Devolver Digital 2022: Skate Story Announcement - Lords of Gaming

That is not to say your environments are not skatable. There are still plenty of ramps, rails, and gaps to conquer. But Skate Story is something a little more ethereal than the cargo short-wearing, Goldfinger-blaring skating fare of yore.

Release date: 2023

Terra Nil

Terra Nil is the anti-SimCity. Whilst most management/simulation games push players into creating industry, using resources, and terraforming the earth, Terra Nil does the opposite. Shown off during the Wholesome Direct, this sim drops players into a derelict, resource-stripped world and forces them to make things green again.

Wind turbines, wells, and greenhouses serve as tools to restore this ecosystem back to its former glory. Developer Free Lives are aiming to create an experience where nature is the currency and success comes in the form of babbling streams and thriving wildlife.

Terra Nil on Steam

Terra Nil is all about reclaiming a wasteland and making something out of nothing. And in a world where it can feel like the skies are greying more and more every day, experiences like this feel like a breath of fresh air.

Release date: TBA

Super Zoo Story

Super Zoo Story is what would happen if Zoo Tycoon and Stardew Valley had a beautiful pixelated baby. The zoo management RPG debuted a new story trailer at the IGN Summer of Gaming Expo, showing off bits of the game’s story as well as a couple of new features.

For many, this was the first time they had seen Super Zoo Story, and it stunned. While the game does look awfully like Stardew Valley, its adorable character sprites and animals will make this game unique from this farming stepbrother.

Stardew Valley Inspired Super Zoo Story Releases First Trailer - myPotatoGames

Plus, this brightly colored RPG doesn’t stop at rhinos and lions. The latest trailer also showed off some prehistoric additions you can bring into your zoo, allowing fans to live out their Jurassic Park fantasies whilst also playing zookeeper.

It has yet to be announced for Switch (only coming to PC at this point), but it would be the perfect game for Nintendo’s handheld hybrid.

Release date: 2023

The Cub

One of the recurring themes of Summer Game Fest this year was platformers with stunning art styles. The Cub falls into that bucket. This 2D platformer is a spiritual successor to 1990’s SEGA games like Aladdin and The Lion King.

From the brief trailer that debuted at the Guerilla Collective 3, The Cub looks like a marvellous animated movie you can play. Its colorful environments are complimented by fluid parkour and complex puzzles.

The Cub on Steam

It is hard to tell exactly what the story will be in this Demagog Studio-developed title. However, the studio has promised there will be plenty of twists and turns in this post-apocalyptic tale.

Release Date: TBA

Cassette Beasts

As a longtime Pokemon fan, Cassette Beasts got me out of my chair. Also a part of the Guerilla Collective, this monster-collecting adventure looks to be that next step Pokémon fans have been asking for.

The game sports an eye-popping HD-2D art style. It seamlessly combines 3D environments with gorgeous 2D characters and monster sprites. And speaking of the monsters, Cassette Beasts gives players the power to combine any two of these creatures, creating something brand new.

Chemistry - Cassette Beasts

It’s this fusion mechanic, open-world, and Saturday morning cartoon-like character designs that make Cassette Beasts one to watch. Sure, it’s not that name-brand Pokémon experience, but it looks to elevate that, making it a worthy competitor to Nintendo’s iconic IP.

Release date: TBA

Frogun

For those looking to scratch that Nintendo 64 itch, look no further than Frogun. The 3D platformer sports retro-looking polygonal graphics, and an adorable wide-eyed art style.

The gameplay looks just like the collectathons of years passed with a twist. The game’s main character, Renata, comes sporting a grappling hook in the form of a handheld frog. By using the titular Frogun’s tongue, players can swing around and solve puzzles.

Upcoming Game 'Frogun' is a Charming Nintendo 64-Style Platformer Releasing in 2022

It looks like simple platforming fun, but it’s a kind of game that doesn’t get made much anymore. So, Frogun will be welcomed by many.

Release date: Summer 2022

The Last Faith

Speaking of games that just don’t make anymore, The Last Faith looks to recapture the magic of classic Castlevania titles, while iterating on Konami’s gothic formula. Shown off as a part of the Future Games Showcase, this bloody adventure is seemingly proof of concept for what a modern Castlevania game could look like.

Developer Kumi Souls Games describes the title as an “unholy alliance of Metroidvania and Soulslike.” That means this game is just as much Bloodborne as it is Symphony of the Night. Tight Souls-esque combat is paired with adventuring across a sprawling map, with new secrets around every corner.

The Last Faith is a Soulslike slashing its way out this year | Shacknews

The Last Faith proves that this formula is anything but stale. Beautiful pixel art and staggering handcrafted environments, make this a worthy SOTN successor.

Release date: 2022

The Plucky Squire

The Plucky Squire might be the most impressive game not called Starfield from Summer Game Fest. This gorgeous platformer really needs to be seen to be believed. Developed by ex-Game Freak employees, this title seamlessly mixes a beautiful 2D storybook world with hyper-realistic 3D platforming sections.

Some gameplay sections shown during the Devolver showcase look like a top-down Zelda title. Others flip the camera, turning things into a 3D action game akin to Ratchet and Clank.

The Plucky Squire revealed, an endearing storybook adventure that blends 2D and 3D gameplay | VG247

Right now, it is unclear if The Lucky Squire will be anything more than amazing visuals. But when your game looks this good, you get the benefit of the doubt.

Release date: 2023

That’s a lot of games, and there are so many more that we did not talk about here. Whether it’s a massive AAA RPG or the smallest one-person-developed deckbuilding roguelike, Summer Game Fest/E3 (when it’s actually happening) is a magical time.

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E3 to get a physical and digital show in 2023 after skipping 2022 entirely

The Electronics Entertainment Expo will return in 2023, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has reiterated.

The ESA, the gaming industry lobbying group that organizes E3, officially cancelled this year’s show in March. At the time, the ESA didn’t provide a reason for skipping this year, although it promised a “revitalized physical and digital” experience in 2023. Now, a few months later, the company maintained that E3 is happening next year in a new interview with The Washington Post.

“We’re excited about coming back in 2023 with both a digital and an in-person event,” ESA president and CEO Stan Pierre-Louis told The Washington Post. The physical event will be held in Los Angeles as normal.

“As much as we love these digital events, and as much as they reach people and we want that global reach, we also know that there’s a really strong desire for people to convene — to be able to connect in person and see each other and talk about what makes games great.”

However, conversations surrounding E3’s relevance have been circulating for years now, particularly due to PlayStation pulling out of the 2019 show. In an age where companies can hold their own virtual events at their convenience, like PlayStation just did last week with its latest State of Play, some have argued that having to commit to an expensive physical presence in Los Angeles is unneeded. The ESA has also come under fire for leaking media’s personal information, as well as the data of members of the general public who took part in last year’s poorly received digital E3.

Given all of this, some have wondered whether the ESA was throwing in the towel, especially amid reports that the group was skipping this year’s show even before COVID cases were on the rise. All the while, the industry has carried on with its own events, particularly Summer Game Fest, which The Game Awards producer Geoff Keighley has put on amid E3’s absence. When The Washington Post asked about all of these reports, Pierre-Louis simply said, “What I can tell you is that COVID has been a driving factor for anyone who conducts physical events for the past three years.”

Assuming it does indeed happen, it remains to be seen exactly what next year’s E3 will look like. It’s unclear which publishers will decide to participate, especially if there are other events vying for their attention. To that point, well-known Twitter user Nibellion tweeted that E3’s offering of a physical platform is something that other events, like Summer Game Fest, have yet to do. In response, Keighley simply tweeted with the “eye” emoji, which could be viewed as a cryptic tease of his plans. Given Keighley’s success with gaming events, it’s not hard to imagine how he might be planning of expanding the reach of Summer Game Fest, including through a potential future physical show.

For now, though, we have Summer Game Fest 2022, which kicks off on Thursday, June 9th at 11am PT/2pm ET. It’s one of many events happening this month — a full breakdown of those can be found here.

Source: The Washington Post