“The end of E3 is sad news,” wrote Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima. “I especially cherish the presentation of ‘MGS2’ in 2000. Already 23 years ago. I’ll never forget the standing ovation I received at that time.
“Without E3, Japanese creators and titles would not have made it to the global stage to this extent. E3 brought together creators and industry figures from all over the world, transcending borders and races.”
The first trailer for MGS 2, which debuted at the show, was shown on a big screen, on a loop, during the whole event. It would regularly attract large crowds of attendees simply to rewatch the trailer.
God of War director Cory Barlog wrote: “was on the floor showing the demo of the very first god of war so many years ago and got to see how excited people were to play this new weird game starring the angry guy with chains. Truly changed my whole outlook.”
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Digital Elclipse’s Mike Mika wrote: “At its peak, E3 was like a World’s Fair, over the top, future facing, larger than life.
“Enormous in scale and decadence. Stadium-sized parties with $25 million dollar price tags. There is no place for it in today’s world, and there definitely will never be anything like it again.”
E3 was due to return for its first in-person show in four years this summer as part of a multi-year deal with PAX organiser ReedPop. However, after months of build-up and uncertainty, the show was cancelled in March.
At the time, ReedPop claimed it “simply did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry”.
The events company later parted ways with E3 organiser the ESA, with the latter claiming in September that it was “evaluating every aspect of the event”.
In E3’s absence, many other events took place in LA in June, including producer Geoff Keighley’s rival Summer Game Fest, Ubisoft Forward, and an Xbox Showcase.
