E3 2021 will take place from June 12th to 15th this year as a free “reinvented, totally virtual” event, the Entertainment Software Association announced today. Organizers announced that the line includes companies such as Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Konami, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive and Warner Bros. Games. Sony is notably absent from that list so far.
E3, the largest annual gaming conference in North America, usually takes place in downtown Los Angeles every June and attracts a mix of developers, the press and consumers. Last year’s event was canceled in April due to COVID-19. In his absence, Geoff Keighley launched Summer Game Fest in partnership with many developers to deliver game and news revelations; the digital event is also coming back this June.
E3 is expected to resume in person next summer.
ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis says the organization is “making this year’s E3 a more inclusive event”, which will also include game and news revelations. The organization confirmed in February that it will hold an online event this year alone.