A year ago that we reported the Electronic Entertainment Expo was shuttering its doors due to the coronavirus putting an indefinite hiatus to live events all across the world. Second verse, same as the first (and really no surprise to anyone), the Board of Los Angeles Convention and Tourism Development Commission listed E3 2021 as a "cancelled event", according to documents published this week. Even with multiple Covid-19 vaccines being rolled out, the timetable on when the world can realistically open back up is murky at best.

Naturally, amidst these complicated times, E3 is reportingly planning to have the event continue as a live event, hosting streams all weekend long that features presentations, interviews, game trailers, and reveals. The all-digital event will still require the support of third party developers and publishers.

"We can confirm that we are transforming the E3 experience for 2021 and will soon share exact details on how we’re bringing the global video game community together," said an ESA spokesperson to VGC. "We are having great conversations with publishers, developers and companies across the board, and we look forward to sharing details about their involvement soon."

Even before the pandemic, E3 had trouble recapturing the magic of its past glory. In the age of independent streaming platforms like the Nintendo Directs and live Treehouse events, Sony's State Of Play showcases, along with an abundance of leaks throughout the industry that undercuts surprises, E3's relevance and necessity continues to decline. With it being March already, there isn't a lot of time to act, if E3 plans to host anything in 2021.

SOURCE: Video Games Chronicle