E3’s 2021 digital event could be partially behind a paywall

THE 101

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E3 is considering putting parts of its digital E3 show behind a paywall, sources have told VGC.

Responding to this piece, The ESA said in a statement that it would “deliver a free experience for everyone interested in E3 2021”.

As we reported in February, organiser The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is pushing forward with plans for a digital E3 event this summer and is attempting to court the support of game publishers.

The event, which will rebrand as the “Electronic Entertainment Experience” (instead of “expo”), is planned to run for a week starting June 13, and incorporate three days of broadcast content, followed by a consumer experience powered by an official E3 app.

“E3 has always served as the gaming industry’s uniting force, a moment each year where the best and brightest gather to release the latest announcements and game demos in support of not only their individual objectives, but to evangelize the entire industry,” a pitch document sent to publishers reads.

“In 2021, E3 is much more…. Welcome to the Electronic Entertainment EXPERIENCE. International, Inclusive. Innovative, Irresistible and ‘in your hands’ wherever you live.

“E3 2021 is NOT an in-person event turned virtual,” the pitch adds.

“E3 2021 is a vanguard and culturally significant digital tent-pole for all corners of the industry and its consumers, from mobile and PC gaming to eSports to watershed console and AAA debuts, all of which will generate massive mainstream attention, offer unprecedented secure game demos while accelerating your B2B, B2M and B2C objectives.”

The ESA’s intention for the 2021 show is to hold multiple keynote sessions from games partners, broadcast from an LED-clad live stage built in Los Angeles, as well as an awards show, preview night and the ability for companies to schedule meetings with media and business users via the app.

However, the key feature of E3 2021’s digital plans could be on-demand game demos streamed via the cloud.

The ESA wants to partner with Nvidia to power the demos using its GeForce Now platform, VGC understands, and allow E3 exhibitors to make their playable experiences available either to the general public, or privately to press and business people via its app. VGC has requested comment from Nvidia.

Plans sent to publishers suggest the E3 app will include “virtual booths” containing content announced during the show, as well as merchandise stores and demos.

According to our sources, The ESA has discussed bundling some parts of its consumer offering as part of a paid access pass, which could be for the on-demand game demos or a ‘premium’ package with extra access.

However, at least one major games company VGC spoke to expressed criticism of the paywall plans and suggested that The ESA had indicated it was willing to back down on the proposal.

In a statement issued to VGC, the E3 organiser emphasised that whatever happens, consumers would be able to access some sort of free experience.

“We’ve been hard at work to deliver a free experience for everyone interested in E3 2021, and we’re excited to share further details soon,” a spokesperson said.

It’s worth noting that the E3 2021 plans still require the approval of ESA’s membership, which is made up of the industry’s biggest games companies and who have significant influence over the direction of the show. And with the figures involved, there’s no guarantee it will receive significant support.

The ESA was already facing pressure to reinvent E3, with several major publishers including EA, Sony and Activision having abandoned the event in recent years – and that was before 2020’s cancellation, after which many companies such as EA and Ubisoft enjoyed success running their own digital events.

And joining E3’s schedule in a significant way still requires six-figure sums, though The ESA has reduced its asking prices by a third since the start of the year (and the broadcast time offered reflects this).

Multiple publishing sources told VGC they expected to provide some content for the digital E3 event, as a show of support for The ESA, but that they would ultimately reserve their main reveals for separate, independent digital events like those held last year.

The ESA – which is funded by and serves the interest of games publishers – would likely argue that a unified digital games event would grab the world’s attention more effectively than a series of smaller shows.
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E3’s 2021 digital event could be partially behind a paywall | VGC


Assuming this isn't an April fools story.

Someone stick a fork in these clowns...it's a wrap :mjlol:
 
Gizmo_Duck

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When I say I’m waiting for E3 these days I’m pretty much just talking about whatever individual conference or direct each publisher is having. E3’s been dead since 2018

 
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ItWasWritten said:
With the monthly Xbox and Sony shows and Nintendo directs ,


What the hell are we supposed to be looking forward to now
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This is pretty much gonna be the microsoft conference since bethesda had their own seperate conference before and sony hasn’t participated for two years already.

It’s gonna be square enix, microsoft, Ubisoft, EA, nintendo will do their own thing like usual
 
MeachTheMonster

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ItWasWritten said:
Ok man and they all have their own shows, What have you seen in the last few E3's that got you interested that weren't at a publisher or Company show...

Its not needed, E3 is old and tired
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They all usually have their shows at E3.

It’s still the biggest single gaming event every year. It’s “needed” if not for anything else but to celebrate gaming for the year.
 
winb83

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MeachTheMonster said:
You do realize lots of other publishers make games right??? :what:
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Any company can make digital presentations of games. They can if they choose create demos online. E3 is an outdated relic from back when gaming magazines were prominent and the very early transition to online game media. Gaming journalists gathered in a single location and were given info to relay to the general public. Now companies release this info on demand when it’s ready. They can’t even keep the announcements secret anymore and before E3 it all leaks anyway.
 
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Gizmo_Duck said:
I almost feel like the game awards is becoming the new E3

As far as the big gaming event of the year goes.
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The Game Awards is a better concept than E3 at this point. It at least has some celebration of achievement behind it. E3 on the other hand became a giant overproduced commercial that had gone stale. Sony and EA don’t even really mess with it like that any more. Hell Sony pulled out like 2 years in a row. One year Nintendo really just showed Zelda and that was it. Companies were struggling to fill an arbitrary annual event with enough content to hold a long press event. They had to devote resources to getting games ready for E3.
 
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