The Xbox E3 2020 and Ubisoft E3 2020 conferences are going to be all-digital experiences. In light of the cancellation of this year's show, two of gaming's biggest publishers have come out to say that they are fully on-board with shifting to a new way of running E3 in light of the coronavirus crisis.
"E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox," stated Head of Xbox Phil Spencer on Twitter. "Given this decision, this year we'll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the @Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks[.]"
Similarly, Ubisoft released a statement of their own via Twitter which announced that they're "exploring options for a digital experience."
"The health and well-being of teams, players[,] and partners is our top priority, so while we're disappointed, we fully support the ESA's decision to cancel E3 2020. E3 is and will continue to be a moment where we come together as a community and share our love of games."
"We're epxloring other options for a digital experience that will allow us to share all the exciting new we have planned, stay tuned for more!"
Will the Xbox E3 2020 & Ubisoft Conferences Be All That Different?
While the shift to all-digital conferences is certainly notable, will they really be all that different in the end?
Xbox E3 2020 and Ubisoft E3 2020 are probably going to play out just like the previous year's show. While there is the possibility for some kind of audience — goodness knows several gaming events haven't given up just yet — the lack of spectators wouldn't make for that big of a change at all.
There is one uncertainty — are these digital events going to be part of some kind of digital E3 2020 experience or will they simply be standalone shows around the time that E3 was supposed to happen? Neither announcement was clear on this matter, but I'm sure the ESA will be trying to keep everyone under their umbrella for their attempted digital show in June.
What we will lose, however, is our chance to go hands-on with some of the latest and greatest games. That's one of the most important bits about E3; hopefully, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and others will be able to figure out how we can enjoy some previews upcoming titles.
Read more about how the COVID-19 novel coronavirus is affecting the gaming world at our Coronavirus Gaming Convention Cancellations and Game Delays Hub.
What do you think of Xbox E3 2002 and Ubisoft E3 2020 shifting to all-digital conferences? Are you disappointed that this year's show is canceled? Let us know in the comments below!
