Having previously canceled its E3 2022 in-person event, the European Space Agency has notified its partners that there will be no equivalent digital event this year either – meaning that E3 2022 has been canceled entirely.
The news broke across Tweet From Will Powers, President of Razer PR, who said an email was sent to announce the cancellation of a digital event at E3. IGN independently checks the contents of the email as well.
The ESA had initially planned for an E3 event in person this year after having no event in 2020 due to COVID-19 and a digital event in 2021. However, this was canceled in January, with ESA unable at the time to conduct A general statement about whether or not there will be a numerical equivalent. According to sources who spoke to IGN at the time, discussions around E3 have been fraught throughout the year, with third parties usually finding the ESA’s continued silence about their frustrating plans.
Sources associated with the event tell IGN that discussions about a possible digital equivalent have continued since then, but without strong momentum to drive it. Instead, the European Space Agency appears to be making plans to regroup for an even bigger comeback in 2023.
Update: The European Space Agency has shared an official statement with IGN confirming the cancellation of E3 2022 and announcing that E3 will return in 2023 with a “revamped show”.
“We will dedicate all of our energy and resources to delivering a renewed E3 physical and digital experience next summer. Whether you enjoy it from the show floor or your favorite hardware, Expo 2023 will bring society, media and industry back together once again with a new look and interactive experience.”
“We look forward to bringing E3 to audiences around the world straight from Los Angeles in 2023.”
The European Space Agency adds that the 2022 bid has been canceled so the organization can “focus its resources” on the 2023 bid.
Rebecca Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find it on Twitter Tweet embed.