While companies won’t be able to hold an official E3 2020 press conference like they were going to, several publishers will still have plenty of gaming news to show around the time the trade show was supposed to take place. In light of the Entertainment Software Association canceling E3 2020 due to safety concerns regarding the coronavirus, several companies including Xbox and Ubisoft have announced plans to do their own digital events.
Xbox head Phil Spencer announced that they will be doing their own digital event later this year. This could serve as the first in-depth look at their upcoming console. “E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox,” wrote Spencer on Twitter. “Given this decision, this year we’ll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event.” Spencer said to expect details on timing and more “in the coming weeks.”
Likewise, Ubisoft went to social media to address the cancellation. “The health and well-being of teams, players and partners is our top priority, so while we’re disappointed, we fully support the ESA’s decision to cancel E3 2020,” said the French publisher. “We’re exploring other options for a digital experience that will allow us to share all the exciting news we have planned, stay tuned for more!”
An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) March 11, 2020
Per a Kotaku report, the two companies might not be the only ones putting on a digital event around E3 time. They report that Warner Bros. Games was set to have its own press conference for the first time in order to show off new Batman and Harry Potter games and the latest title from Rocksteady Studios.
With the Xbox Series X set to launch later this year and Sony skipping out on the entire show, E3 2020 was set to be a major stage for Microsoft as they detailed their next gaming system to a mass audience. With this substantial wrench thrown into their plans, they’ll have to find another way and avenue to get the word out. As with their E3 showcases, players can expect some major game reveals alongside a detailed look at what Microsoft will have to offer gamers once their Xbox digital event takes place.
