E3 is no more, so gaming fans have taken to social media to reflect on the long-running entertainment event’s highs, lows, and funny moments.
After years of trying to get the ball rolling once again, the Entertainment Software Association announced that E3 was finally taking a permanent nap today. Mixed emotions are washing across the industry as a result, with the general consensus being that the death of the decades-old event is the end of an era.
When most video game enjoyers think of E3, a collection of incredible reveals no doubt comes flooding in from their memories. E3 housed Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s “Everyone Is Here” gameplay reveal trailer and gave the world its first look at The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. It also delivered the return of Kratos in what eventually became God of War (2018), while also showing off gameplay from Naughty Dog’s forever influential The Last of Us.
Rip E3, thank you for giving us moments like this pic.twitter.com/T9L5cJr1xU
— Pauline ? (@Crofteria) December 12, 2023
“E3 wasn't perfect but it gave the community so many awesome reveals and memories,” X (formerly Twitter) user Isaac’s Allied Adepts said. “Golden Sun Dark Dawn being revealed out of the blue at E3 while @Reggie acknowledges the prestige of the original games was something truly magical and will forever be iconic.”
E3 wasn't perfect but it gave the community so many awesome reveals and memories.
— Isaac's Allied Adepts ☀️ (@IsaacAdepts) December 12, 2023
Golden Sun Dark Dawn being revealed out of the blue at E3 while @Reggie acknowledges the prestige of the original games was something truly magical and will forever be iconic ? https://t.co/rsD2u3sR8j pic.twitter.com/fM5E1C3uy5
“E3 2015 will forever be my favorite E3,” X user LegionzGaming said. “My girlfriend at the time could not understand how a grown ass man could be screaming & sobbing at the TV seeing Final Fantasy VII Remake get announced.”
E3 2015 will forever be my favorite E3. My girlfriend at the time could not understand how a grown ass man could be screaming & sobbing at the TV seeing Final Fantasy VII Remake get announced.
— LegionzGaming (@LegionzGaming) December 12, 2023
Reveals like this were so magical and we might never get presentations like this… pic.twitter.com/XQaCkM8nOL
Two of the big three have had infamously strong E3 presences for the last few years, but fans also remember that few showed up as hard as Microsoft. X user Will called out Xbox’s promise of backward compatibility on Xbox One as one of the all-time great reveals.
Rip E3. This will always be one of the best E3 moments https://t.co/LwmEDoXVYx pic.twitter.com/EzQPow5amy
— Will (@FMarryWill) December 12, 2023
Meanwhile, the Xbox stage at E3 2019 served viewers a moment that would not only go viral in gaming circles but across the internet, too. Keanu Reeves has a way with words, but one of his best moments was when he belted, “You’re breathtaking,” to an enthusiastic audience member when promoting his role in Cyberpunk 2077. In fact, CD Projekt Red slots have served up more than a few worthwhile reveals and reactions, and the developers are taking today to look back at the highlights.
'Hey admin team, are you watching the @EasyAllies reactions video AGAIN?'
— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) December 12, 2023
'You bet!' pic.twitter.com/VDem6QTe5w
Reveals for long-awaited video games can ignite a fire of hype across the industry, but few looked forward to E3 as much as those who participated in it. The event was always far from perfect, and some may even be glad it’s gone, but there’s no denying that it helped many developers grow as they worked year-round to deliver inspiring demos and presentations.
“Was on the floor showing the demo of the very first God of War so many years ago and got to see how excited people were to play this new weird game starring the angry guy with chains,” Santa Monica Studios’ Cory Barlog said. “Truly changed my whole outlook. Both loved and hated this show. RIPs to the E3.”
“I loved every year I got to attend E3,” Noclip documentarian Danny O’Dwyer said. “Hosting the GameSpot show in the early years was a dream come true, and taught me a lot about how to talk to developers. In later years I just loved being there as a fan and bumping into friends. I loved every second of it.”
Frontier Developments Head of Influencers and Engagement Hollie Bennett is “sad to see it fizzle out,” adding, “It's hard to sum up the impact E3 had on the industry. Entire dev cycles and publishing calendars revolved around creating demos and beats to be part of it. Your year almost revolved around it!”
Still, it’s hard not to look back on E3 as a hot spot for some hard-to-watch moments. What started as an annual moment for developers and press to expand their social spheres and show off the next big thing became a public show that celebrated games and those who played them. Whether it was finding its footing or growing into something new, players always found things to laugh at.
Annapurna Interactive, for example, is “pouring out some game fuel” as E3 breathes its last breaths.
pouring out some game fuel this morning https://t.co/Ycx0FiX7qy
— Annapurna Interactive (@A_i) December 12, 2023
X user Yuuko from Nichijou, meanwhile, poked fun at the fact that the ESA has attempted to bring E3 to its former glory for years.
rest assured, this will be the sixth time we have cancelled E3, and we have become exceedingly efficient at it pic.twitter.com/C191MqpJNZ
— yuuko from nichijou (@headfallsoff) December 12, 2023
E3 will forever be remembered for its cringe moments.
— NEO_NoiseBomb (@NEO_NoiseBomb) December 12, 2023
Giant Enemy Crab, Jesse NFS Payback, Konami E3 2010, the whole borefest that was Gran Turismo Sony E3 2006, and more.
I don't like that Geoff SGF/TGA is taking over the whole presentation stuff. E3 was something special. https://t.co/LwXDyMy8Di pic.twitter.com/fGpfrtTzb0
E3 may be gone, but an army of replacements are already here to fill the void with more reveals, hard-to-watch moments, and reasons to celebrate gaming. Geoff Keighley just wrapped up The Game Awards 2023 and will surely continue the endeavor into 2024. There’s also Gamescom and Summer Games Fest, as well as many other smaller events sprinkled throughout the year.
Photo credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for E3/Entertainment Software Association
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
