Disappointing news in the gaming world, as E3 2022 has been completely cancelled for the year. Learn more about the fate of E3 here.

PR lead for Razer, Ian Powers, shared a tweet yesterday (31st March) that revealed the confirmed cancellation of E3 2022.

The popular video game trade show (Electronic Entertainment Expo, to give it its full title) was originally set to be held in person this year. After a successful digital event last year, which Microsoft secured retransmission rights for in order to help out Twitch streamers, it was hoped E3 would return to its full glory this year.

Normally, the event is held in the Los Angeles Convention Center, and sees tens of thousands of attendees come together. For many gaming fans, it’s viewed as much more than just a trade show. Enthusiasts congregate to see reports on upcoming games, grab new releases, and be among like-minded people.

E3 2022 was moved from a physical to all-digital event back in January this year. The Entertainment Software Association, which puts on the event, pulled the plug altogether in the end. Speaking to TechRadar, the association said, “We previously announced that E3 would not be held in person in 2022 due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19. Today, we announce that there will also be no digital E3 showcase in 2022.”

That isn’t the end forever for E3, though. The ESA is planning to bring back E3 for 2023, and hopes for an in-person event once more.

 “E3 will return in 2023 with a reinvigorated showcase that celebrates new and exciting video games and industry innovations.”

As it has been for most conferences, the last few years have been challenging for E3. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 event was cancelled following a turn out of over 16,000 for 2019. It then managed to hold a digital event in 2021, but now faces cancellation once again.

The cancellation of the digital event has come as an unwelcomed surprise to some. Questions as to the exact reasoning behind it have been raised. However, E3 has bounced back from adversity before, so we will likely see it do so again next year.