The Electronic Entertainment Expo, more widely known as E3, is confirmed to come back this year. While several major video game companies are sure to present at the trade shows, some big names are still unlikely to return.
E3 returns this year with major companies and big absences
E3 is arguably one of the biggest annual trade shows where the biggest announcements for the video game industry are made. However, it was also one of the events that got canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The good news is the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has now confirmed that E3 2021 is happening in a new format. In a statement earlier this week, ESA announced that the trade show will be an “all-virtual” affair, which means fans will be able to follow the announcements and presentations online.
ESA also named the lineup of video game companies that made “early commitments” to make an appearance at E3 2021. The list includes Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Konami, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar Games’ parent company), Warner Bros. Games, and Koch Media. More developers and publishers might be added to the list as ESA teases there is “more to come” before the event takes place.
Some of the notable absences from the list are Sony PlayStation and EA. However, it is worth noting that these two companies have previously removed themselves from companies with major presentations during E3 and have held their own events in previous years. Sony has hosted a major State of Play event previously while EA has also launched EA Play Live, which were both previously scheduled in June -- the same month as E3.
E3 2021 schedule, where to watch
Other details about E3 2021 are still under wraps, but ESA confirmed the presentations will happen on June 12-15. In previous years, some of the biggest announcements are made on the first day.
ESA has yet to provide information on where fans can tune in or if all presentations would be available via live streaming. But one likely way to follow the events of E3 2021 is through its official website. Fans can also sign up for the trade show’s newsletter to receive further announcements as soon as they are available.
Featured photo by Aranami from Flickr under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0)


AI-Guided Drones Transform Ukraine’s Battlefield Strategy
TSMC Accuses Former Executive of Leaking Trade Secrets as Taiwan Prosecutors Launch Investigation
Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Networking Service to Boost High-Speed Cloud Connectivity
ByteDance Unveils New AI Voice Assistant for ZTE Smartphones
Morgan Stanley Boosts Nvidia and Broadcom Targets as AI Demand Surges
Nexperia Urges China Division to Resume Chip Production as Supply Risks Mount
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment
Trump Administration to Secure Equity Stake in Pat Gelsinger’s XLight Startup
Coupang Apologizes After Massive Data Breach Affecting 33.7 Million Users
Apple Appoints Amar Subramanya as New Vice President of AI Amid Push to Accelerate Innovation
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities
Samsung Launches Galaxy Z TriFold to Elevate Its Position in the Foldable Smartphone Market
Quantum Systems Projects Revenue Surge as It Eyes IPO or Private Sale
Intel Boosts Malaysia Operations with Additional RM860 Million Investment
Wikipedia Pushes for AI Licensing Deals as Jimmy Wales Calls for Fair Compensation
Australia Releases New National AI Plan, Opts for Existing Laws to Manage Risks 



