All three major game console makers look set to brush off the big E3 comeback

The first physical E3 event in four years was supposed to be a triumphant return for the show – an opportunity to recapture some of the excitement of past conventions, which have historically been great showcase events for the games industry.

However, it looks like when E3 2023 hits the Los Angeles Convention Center in June, it will be without three of its most important attendees. IGN has heard from multiple knowledgeable sources that Xbox, Sony, and Nintendo will not be part of E3 2023 or present in the Los Angeles Convention Center’s exhibit hall.

 

This information comes on the heels of Xbox’s announcement last week that it would be returning to Los Angeles for the annual summer showcase, but declined to confirm whether it would be part of E3 itself.

Speaking to IGN last week, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer said the platform is scheduling a one-at-a-time event “at a convenient time for the press and even consumers heading into E3, and it’s That’s what we’re trying to do now.” Spencer also emphasized Xbox’s public support for E3 and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), however, IGN understands that Xbox will not have a booth at the show.

“E3 is, for me, one of the seminal moments in gaming. I love the story of going to LA, thousands of people there, seeing new and amazing things…meeting people from the industry, the fan events we’ve had. I definitely want to let this continue,” Spencer said.

“Xbox is on the ESA board, and I think a successful and healthy ESA is critical to what we’re trying to do. So we’ve placed our event, as we always have, at a time when we hope it will be convenient for press and to consumers going to the E3 event, and that’s what we’re trying to do now. We’ll continue to work with the ESA in terms of their plans. As I said, we’re on the board and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help make E3 a success”.

Xbox’s current plans for the showcase remain unconfirmed, but in previous years it has held a main showcase, preview events, and dedicated press events. Internally, Xbox has recently suffered layoffs and other cutbacks, forcing it to rein in spending after a year of virtually no major releases.

Xbox’s decision not to have a formal presence in the E3 showroom comes as a surprise given its support of the event in the past. Of the so-called “Big Three”, it seemed the most likely to be at E3, not least because it has several major releases to promote in 2023, including Starfield.

Nintendo also traditionally maintains a booth in the E3 showroom, even after pioneering the “Direct” format. However, IGN has heard from industry sources that neither Nintendo nor Sony will be at E3 2023, with PlayStation originally pulling out in 2019, due to reported disagreements with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). It is currently unclear whether Nintendo and Sony intend to participate in the event.

Representatives from Nintendo, Sony, Xbox and ESA did not return requests for comment by the time of writing. ReedPop provided the following statement.