The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the largest trade show for the video game industry, has officially come to an end after nearly four years of struggle. The announcement was made by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the host of the event, confirming the end of an era that many in the industry saw coming but hoped would not.
Established in 1995, E3 was known for being a loud, raucous carnival where everything and everyone competed for attention. It was a place for big game releases, console launches, and industry gatherings that, despite their overhyped nature, felt essential. Having attended nearly every E3 since 1997, I can say it was a show like no other.
E3 was an event filled with giant booths, celebrity cameos, and closed-door meetings. It was the birth of a trade show that topped all others, offering a first look at titles that could become the next gaming obsession. Over the years, it evolved from a necessity after the Consumer Electronics Show to a media-focused gathering that still managed to captivate the larger gaming community.
In its final years, the public was allowed to attend, making the show more crowded than ever but also offering a unique connection between game creators and players. However, it was ultimately mismanagement, technological advances, and the pandemic that led to E3’s demise. The ESA’s failure to evolve the show, the shift to virtual events, and the loss of notable industry figures all played a part in its downfall.
As publishers found success in communicating directly with audiences through online presentations, the profitability of E3 declined. The departure of key players like EA, Sony, and Nintendo further sealed its fate. The end of E3 serves as a warning to other trade shows to never lose sight of what makes them successful and to continually evolve to adapt to unexpected challenges.
For those who attended E3 every year, its absence will forever change the landscape of the gaming industry. The show may be gone, but its impact will be remembered for years to come.
