E3 is the latest major gathering to be canceled amid the spread of COVID-19. The Entertainment Software Association made the official announcement today on their website.
The E3 team is devastated to share this news. This decision was not reached lightly, but it is the right one for the health and safety of all involved. Read our statement here: https://t.co/1uOWxTerN9 pic.twitter.com/gD2IxNACLX
— E3 (@E3) March 11, 2020
“After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry,” the statement reads, “we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.”
COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019, is a rapidly spreading disease similar to influenza. It began in Wuhan, China and has now spread the globe in what is now considered by the WHO to be a global pandemic. It has caused 31 deaths in the United States alone, with thousands of infections worldwide. As a result, conventions and gatherings of all types, from comic conventions to pro wrestling events to movie production, have all been canceled or postponed. While it is a legitimate threat to be taken seriously, it’s important to know the facts.
E3, or the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is the largest convention in the video game industry. Started in 1995 in Los Angeles, E3 has been home to countless product announcement, game reveals, and video game-related exhibitions. This marks the first time in the event’s 25 year history that a physical gathering will not take place.
Check back with AIPT for continuing coverage of coronavirus and its effect on the world of pop culture.
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