E3 2020 planning ‘moving ahead full speed’ amid coronavirus outbreak

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) says planning for E3 2020 is currently “moving ahead full speed” amid the coronavirus outbreak, although it’s monitoring developments closely.

It was recently announced that GDC 2020, which was scheduled to take place in San Francisco this month, has been cancelled after many participants withdrew citing fears over the health of their employees.

E3 2020 is scheduled to take place from June 9-11 in Los Angeles, where there has reportedly been one confirmed coronavirus case to date.

“Everyone is watching the situation very closely,” the ESA said in a statement provided to Vice. “We will continue to be vigilant, as our first priority is the health, wellness and safety of all of our exhibitors and attendees.

“Given what we know at this time, we are moving ahead full speed with E3 2020 planning. Exhibit and registration sales are on track for an exciting show in June.”

The ESA has come under significant pressure to reinvent E3 in recent years, and in late January it vowed “to shake things up” for 2020’s event, which is being created in collaboration with production company Iam8bit.

E3 2020 participants announced so far include Xbox, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Bethesda, Sega, Capcom, Square Enix, Take-Two, Bandai Namco and Warner Bros Interactive.

Confirming an earlier VGC report, Sony said in January that PlayStation will not attend E3 for the second year in a row.

E3 Coliseum organiser Geoff Keighley has also said he won’t be attending E3 2020.