E3 2021 is set to look at little different from the norm. However, don’t expect the announcements to be any less enormous.
Gaming’s biggest conference has been somewhat in contention due to the ongoing pandemic, but it’s finally been confirmed that E3 2021 will take place in June. The event will have backing from Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Konami, Ubisoft, Take-Two, Warner Bros, and Koch Media.
A press release revealed that E3 2021 will be an online-only event, as many voices in gaming had already predicted. Exactly what format the conference will take is yet to be seen, but developers will be “showcasing their latest news and games directly to fans around the world”. Prominent media will also be involved to “amplify and make this content available to everyone for free”.
What does E3 2021 ‘going digital’ even mean?
During the pandemic, many publishers, award shows, and conferences have shifted to online-only showings. There are pros and cons, of course; while online events undoubtedly reach a bigger live audience, several activities such as hands-on demos are totally out of the question.
PAX, Nintendo, Capcom, Sony, The Game Awards, and many others are among the organisations who pulled off hugely successful digital events in 2020, so E3 certainly has a few case studies to work from.
This is a double-edged sword, however, as many publishers (who classically pay large sums of money to appear at E3) have realised they can facilitate successful live streams on their own terms. Sony, for instance, pulled out of E3 2020 shortly before it was ultimately cancelled. Sony’s subsequent PlayStation 5 showcase stream was then viewed by hundreds of millions of fans – no E3 necessary.
As a viewer, this likely means you’ll be able to stream E3 2021 live and for free, and certain parts of the show that were previously secluded for ticket holders will be made public.
What games should you expect?
As mentioned, Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Konami, Ubisoft, Take-Two, Warner Bros, and Koch Media will be attending E3 2021. There are a few holes you’ll likely notice – namely those left by Sony, EA, Activision Blizzard, Sega, Bandai Namco, and Square Enix.
Some companies you may notice aren’t present but fall under shared ownership, such as Bethesda, who is now owned by Microsoft thus may make an appearance at the Xbox Showcase. Some news regarding Bethesda’s upcoming IP Starfield would certainly turn a few heads – especially as an Xbox exclusive.
Some of the most anticipated games on the cards from the showcasing companies include Breath of the Wild’s sequel from Nintendo, Everwild from Rare (part of Xbox Game Studios), Halo Infinite as a premier Xbox title, plus a few delayed games such as Warner Bros’ Gotham Knights or Ubisoft’s Far Cry 6.
As expected, Elden Ring hollows will have to wait just a little longer, with Bandai Namco firmly off the list of confirmed E3 2021 appearances. That said, more publishers could heap onto the bill ahead of the mid-June dates.
Speaking about E3 2021, ESA CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis shared:
“For more than two decades, E3 has been the premier venue to showcase the best that the video game industry has to offer, while uniting the world through games.”
“We are evolving this year’s E3 into a more inclusive event, but will still look to excite the fans with major reveals and insider opportunities that make this event the indispensable center stage for video games.”
E3 2021 will take place from June 12 through to June 15. Stay tuned for more news as it develops.
