The annual Electronic Entertainment Expo will be an online-only affair once again this year. The event's organizers, the Electronic Software Association (ESA) confirmed the decision to return to a digital format following the recent surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the United States.
Should E3 go digital from here on out?
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is forcing regulating bodies from all over the world to go back and reinstitute lockdowns in an attempt to curb the spread. The United States, in particular, is suffering from hundreds of thousands of new infections every day, leaving hundreds of businesses and companies no choice but to reconsider their initial plans. Case in point, CES 2022, which was held in Las Vegas, saw several tech companies pull out due to safety concerns.
With the Omicron variant continuing to ravage most of the United States at the moment, the ESA's decision to shift to an all-digital format this early on is a good sign. This is unlike last year when it was confirmed less than three months before the event itself. The decision should give interested companies who plan to join the showcase enough time to make the necessary adjustments.