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We haven't seen a physical E3 event for a few years now and while there was some hope that the organisers would be able to recapture the magic this year, there has been an unfortunate update. It would seem that for the first time, none of the big three console makers will be involved in E3 this year.
According to sources speaking with IGN, Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation have opted out of E3 2023, with none of the big three buying booth space. According to VGC's Andy Robinson, Nintendo isn't acquiring booth space this year due to an apparent lack of major releases in its schedule. It is also said that Xbox will be having a summer showcase, it just won't be at the LA Convention Centre to tie in with E3.
While Nintendo hasn't held a physical press conference at E3 in many years, the company has typically had a section of the show floor reserved to give press and public ticket holders an opportunity to get hands-on time with its games. PlayStation pulled out of E3 several years ago, replacing its conference with its own direct-to-consumer announcement streams.
Microsoft is going down a similar path, debuting its own Developer Direct show earlier this month, giving Xbox a new way to communicate announcements with fans on a more regular basis, without needing to focus all of its marketing efforts on the summer months.
While Xbox, Nintendo and PlayStation won't be directly involved with E3 this year, a number of other developers and publishers likely will appear. Companies like Ubisoft, Square Enix, Capcom, WB and others could still provide enough content to maintain interest in the event.
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KitGuru Says: It sounds like the glory days of E3 are never coming back, which is a shame, but if it means we get more announcements from first-party console studios spread out through the year with the occasional big surprise thrown in, then I think that's best for the industry, especially with so many games coming out each year.
