This year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, known to many as E3, has been officially canceled by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) due to the rising COVID-19 cases across the globe. Now, many companies are revising their plans and assuring fans there will still be an event somehow, albeit in a different manner this time.
Historically, Ubisoft preferred to hold its press conferences before E3, specifically the Monday before the event. This year, however, it opted out on announcements and did not reveal any info regarding its plans to host its E3 event until today. This year's 3-day event was originally scheduled from June 9th through June 11th.
Microsoft's Phil Spencer has already told fans that the Xbox Series X event will be done via a virtual event, and it seems Ubisoft is going the same route. According to the developer of the "Assassin's Creed" games, it is "exploring other options for a digital experience that will allow us to share all the exciting news we have planned."
An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm — Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) March 11, 2020
For the first time in history, E3 has been canceled, and this ripple effect will definitely affect the entire gaming industry at large. Of course, more announcements are expected in the coming days, but many games and networking pitches won't possibly happen without the physical portion of the game.
While Ubisoft is known for its leaky press conferences, its 2020 plans remain a mystery to the lot. Rumors are a dime a dozen with fans hoping for a "Splinter Cell" revival. It is also believed that the next "Assassin's Creed" game will debut soon, as well as "Skull & Bones," "Gods & Monsters," and "Watch Dogs: Legion."
As of March 7th, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that the coronavirus has affected over 100,000 people worldwide since it was first reported from Wuhan, China in December last year. The current death toll is at around 4,000 people.
Most of China's production has been shut down because of COVID-19, affecting a large portion of global goods, being the leading manufacturer in the world. Some cities in China have been abandoned or under strict lockdown. Meanwhile, in Northern Italy, over 16 million people have been quarantined.
Many industries are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, including the gaming industry, although its full impact is yet to be determined. Some countries have managed to control the spread of the coronavirus, but it goes without saying we need more stringent protocols. The whole world still has a long way to go to contain the virus and come up with a vaccine to keep humanity safe.
