Hot on the heels of the ESA’s confirmation that E3 is returning next year, Summer Game Fest has been announced to be both a digital and physical event for 2023. Included among these updates was news that Summer Game Fest would be returning in 2023 and that Summer Game Fest would be a hybrid event, featuring digital displays and also having an in-person element. With E3 not happening this year (although it is planning on returning for 2023), Summer Game Fest is an event where various showcases and announcements would happen. While Summer Game 2022 kicked off this Thursday at 9 pm, the ESA announced that they are returning to the E3 branding in 2023, hosting both digital events as well as a new physical one in LA.
This time, it is official, barring another pandemic hitting the world, 2023 is really going to happen, with the physical event taking place in Los Angeles. E3 2022 has been officially canceled, with reasons given alongside hints of when gaming’s biggest event might return. While the gaming industry is doing a great job filling the E3 void with events like the upcoming Summer Game Fest and Xbox and Bethesda Game Showcase, many would undoubtedly welcome an EXPO return.
The head of the show is organizer, Stan Pierre-Louis from ESA, who told The Washington Post that E3 2023 is still going to happen, despite speculation that major game brands would prefer to hold their own events. While ESA has not provided concrete details, including event dates, ESA executive director Stan Pierre-Louis said that E3 was planned as both a physical and digital show. The upcoming iteration will presumably feature live audiences for the show itself, and also have a show floor area where press and fans can experience gameplay demos or speak with developers, although these details are still yet to be seen.
It is worth noting that no dates have been confirmed, and given the history and connections of Geoff Keighley in the video games industry, it is highly unlikely Summer Game Fest will be competing directly against E3 Return. In listing the remaining shows expected over the next few days, along with his upcoming live events at Gamescom opening night in August and The Game Awards in December, Keighley made the statement that Summer Game Fest would be digital as well in-person. Keighley said with digital showings, The Summer Game Fest 2023 will be a digital and in-person event that brings together the video game community in June 2023.
