For the First Time in its more than Two-Decade Run, E3 is Cancelled Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is already considered by the World Health Organization as a Pandemic. Due to its massive widespread, many of the biggest events this year have been either moved or canceled for health and safety concerns.

In relation to this, for the first time in its two-decade run, E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo), one of the most highly anticipated video game and tech conventions, decided to cancel this year due to the outbreak. This is the first time in the  expo’s 24-year run that they have to cancel the event.

Those who are sad and disappointed that they won’t be able to witness some great announcements from major game developers and video game companies like Electronic Arts, Nintendo, and Microsoft need not to because many of these companies have confirmed that they will be doing their own official livestreams to release some game announcements.

Nintendo, the video game console giant that created the most successful console to date, the Nintendo Switch, has recently released a statement regarding the event cancellation.

 “We’ll continue to be flexible and redirect our efforts to other ways of keeping our fans up to date about our activities and products. We are considering various ways to engage with our fans and will have more to share as the year continues.”

This is also supposedly the first time that Warner Bros. Games will be joining in the expo and was suppose to preview their upcoming games of Harry Potter and Batman. A new game for the Arkham series is also confirmed to be previewed in the expo.  

In relation to the cancellation, tech and video game giant Microsoft have decided to have a “digital event” where they will steam announcements of their upcoming titles for its next-generation Xbox Series X video game console. The said streaming is expected to happen “in the coming weeks”.

Square Enix, the developer of the highly anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake have also recently released a statement that are looking into other options for the meantime in announcing their 2020 lineup and beyond.

The highly anticipated remake of Final Fantasy VII was originally slated to be released on March 3. However, it was announced recently that the game’s release will be delayed until April 3. The game is confirmed and strictly will be a PlayStation 4 exclusive game until March 3, 2021. As of this writing, Square Enix has not announced if there will be an extension of the exclusivity date. The game is remake to popular Final Fantasy VII PlayStation One game released in 1997.

Final Fantasy VII remake will be released in the following bundles: Deluxe (contains art book, mini-soundtrack CD, and DLC Materia for Cactuar), Digital Deluxe (contains previously mentioned items in Deluxe and a DLC Materia for Carbuncle), and 1^st Class Edition (which contains all the items in the Deluxe Edition, a DLC Materia for Carbuncle, and a “Cloud Strife and Hardy Daytona” Play Arts Kai figure. Those who pre-order the game will have a DLC Materia for Choco Chick, while digital pre-order will also include a PS4 theme.

Last May, Square Enix stated in a Japanese news post that “production is underway on the work as multiple parts.”

About Final Fantasy VII (Synopsis)

Final Fantasy VII follows the story of mercenary Cloud Strife, who is hired by the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE led by Barret Wallaceto help fight the mega-corporation Shinra Electric Power Company, who attempts to drain the planet’s lifeblood as an energy source to further their profits. Apathetic to the cause, Cloud initially fights for personal gain, and for the promise he made to childhood friend Tifa Lockhart. Cloud eventually joins forces with many others to save the planet, which is threatened by Shinra and Cloud’s nemesis Sephiroth, and discovers a reason to fight for a cause other than his own.

As of this time, the health and safety of everyone matters a lot right now. Stay safe everyone and we are looking forward to E3’s comeback in 2021!

Source: CNET