E3 will once again be an online-only event in 2022 amidst surging COVID-19 cases

E3 2022 will once again be an online-only event, as a precautionary measure amidst surging cases of COVID-19.

According to a recent report by VentureBeat, the Entertainment Software Association will not be taking any risks with this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, and has stated that,

The ESA had originally planned to bring back the largest video game trade show of the year as an in-person conference in 2022. But with the onset of the new Omnicron variant and the surging number of cases in the United States itself, the ESA will not be looking to move forward with its initial plans and E3 will be held online in 2022.

Will the Summer Games Fest follow suit after E3's announcement?

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is just one example of the several major events that have been affected by the latest surging cases of COVID-19.

This year’s GRAMMYs awards show was one such event that got pushed back from its original date of January 21, 2022, with even the Sundance Film Festival adopting the online-only format this time around.

Now with E3 also planning to go virtual for the second time in a row, many community members feel that even Geoff Keighley’s Summer Games Fest should follow suit.

While Geoff did tweet about the announcement for the event, he is yet to disclose any information as to the format that Summer Games Fest will be going for in 2022. But it’s highly likely that after E3, it too will be adopting an online-only format.

The Entertainment Software Association is yet to provide an official date for when their event will start. However, based on previous years, it is expected to take place sometime in the second week of June.

About the author

Armed with his Master's degree in English Literature, Abhishek Mallick ventured into journalism propelled by his simple love for video games. Over four years, Abhishek has made significant contributions to Sportskeeda Esports & Gaming as a content manager and writer and holds particular expertise and influence within the competitive gaming landscape. Inspired by gaming legends like T1 Faker, Abhishek closely follows the professional League of Legends scene, finding fascination in the strategic depth and skillful plays showcased by top players and teams.

After his first childhood favorite, the 1997 platformer Claw, Abhishek's gaming pursuits evolved to encompass titles like Monster Hunter World, where he finds thrill in the exhilarating hunt for formidable monsters. These days, Abhishek's genre of choice is JRPG, where he enjoys confronting deities in epic battles.

In his reporting endeavors, Abhishek stays up-to-date with current news and trends to ensure his articles provide readers with accurate and timely information. Beyond gaming, Abhishek dives into fiction through his love for reading.

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