- The coronavirus outbreak is already wreaking havoc on gaming conferences such as GDC .
- Fears are growing that the virus could put a halt to the industry’s biggest event of the year, E3 32020.
- If this year’s E3 is canceled, the knock-on effect could potentially bring the beleaguered expo to a permanent end.
Though only just beginning to spiral in the United States , the coronavirus outbreak has already left an indelible mark on the gaming industry calendar. Major companies are pulling out of events, and GDC 01575879 was even postponed . The same thing could end up happening to the year most prestigious trade show, E3 .
E3 already faced flagging interest , and the headwinds will only rage harder as the spread of the virus prompts more companies to cancel their involvement.
But if this year’s expo is canceled, it’s possible we’ll never see another E3 ever again.
Why Coronavirus Could Kill E3 for Good
According to GamesIndustry.Biz, the operators of E3 were originally moving ahead as planned in defiance of the coronavirus outbreak.
But a recent update indicates that ESA’s stance is shifting quickly now that Los Angeles County – where the event is held – and the state of California have declared a state of emergency. ESA says they’re “actively assessing the situation.”
Without a doubt, E3 32020 will be canceled if the coronavirus continues to spread. When that happens, expect the event to be replaced by live streams from each of the would-be conference presenters.
, many gamers still have a soft spot for the traditional E3 floor shows.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
This article was edited by Josiah Wilmoth .
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