Geoff Keighley believes that E3 killed itself

I understand why people say [I killed E3], but I think if anything, we created Summer Game Fest, and I built Summer Game Fest because I saw the wheels falling off the wagon of E3. Square Enix is hinting at a potentially bigger reveal for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth at Summer Game Fest.

Keighley's sentiments echo a wider trend within the gaming industry over the past decade. These days, the big companies are preferring to host their own showcases over joining large trade events like E3.

Once PlayStation pulled out of E3 in 2019, the rest of the industry took notice. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic happened.

Keighley explains that he once envisioned a world where Summer Game Fest could co-exist with E3. He claims that he's had discussions with E3's event organizer, ReedPop, even contemplating a model that would see games announced at Summer Game Fest before becoming playable at E3. However, Keighley's reservations about the long-term viability of E3 meant that Summer Game Fest had to fill in the gaps that he believed E3 was lacking rather than act as a direct competitor.

The inaugural Summer Game Fest, which launched in the wake of E3 2020's cancelation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was an online-only showcase. Keighley worked from a spare bedroom to bring gaming news to fans in a digital format - totally different from E3's way of doing things. His oozing passion helped Summer Game Fest gain traction and popularity, leading to its current standing as a premier gaming event.

Keighley suggests the death of E3 was the result of a combination of factors, including relevance among audiences and the participation of sponsors.

Still, Keighley insists that the Summer Game Fest didn't kill E3. Instead, Keighley thinks that the gaming community would have "splintered apart" if not for it.

To date, the future of E3 remains uncertain. However, we can't deny the rise of Summer Game Fest and other individualized company showcases. This trend demonstrates the shift in the industry towards a more digital, accessible, and personalized approach to gaming announcements and showcases.

Amidst all the changes, Keighley's love for the gaming industry remains evident - a constant driving force behind all of his initiatives.