Microsoft and Ubisoft have announced plans for digital events following the cancellation of E3 2020 due to concern about the coronavirus.
Microsoft was set to hold a live press conference at the Microsoft Theater, next door to the Los Angeles Convention Centre, during E3 in June. There it would have promoted the Xbox Series X console, due out in time for Christmas 2020, as well as announce new games.
“E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox,” Xbox boss Phil Spencer tweeted.
“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. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks.”
E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox. 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. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks https://t.co/xckMKBPf9h
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) March 11, 2020
It’s a similar situation for Ubisoft, which was no doubt planning to show off Watch Dogs Legion, the next Assassin’s Creed and the next Far Cry, among other projects, during its traditional E3 press conference.
An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) March 11, 2020
Meanwhile, Kotaku’s Jason Schreier reports Warner Bros. was planning to hold a press conference at E3 this year to reveal the next Batman game from its Montreal studio, the next Harry Potter game and the next game from Arkham developer Rocksteady.
More news from me: Warner Bros. Games was planning to do an E3 press conference this year for the first time, to talk about Batman, Harry Potter, and Rocksteady's game among others. Remains to be seen what they'll do now https://t.co/OIry5zgB6p
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 11, 2020
Presumably Warner Bros. will be looking at alternative avenues to announce its games.
Nintendo was set to star on the E3 show floor with a booth. It will no doubt have a Nintendo Direct ready for June.
E3’s cancellation has sent shockwaves throughout the video game industry, with publishers and developers now missing out on one of the year’s biggest marketing beats. But it will also have ramifications for companies who had hoped to use the show to secure funding for upcoming projects via behind closed doors deals.