E3 2020 will not feature a large-scale live-stream event to replace the traditional conference. However, the good news is that an online experience will be available instead, and the timing of next year's event has been confirmed.

Originally reported by GamesIndustry.biz (via PC Gamer), the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced that E3 2021 will run from June 15-17 and will be a "reimagined event." The message to its partners, however, contained no mention of what would replace this year's E3.

E3 representatives later contacted PC Gamer and issued a more specific statement on the matter, stating that the event would not take place as originally planned.

"In light of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be hosting an online E3 2020 event in June. Instead, in the coming months,www.E3expo.com,を含む個々の企業の発表を促進し、紹介するために出展者と協力する予定です」と担当者は述べた。

"We look forward to presenting a reimagined E3 in 2021 that brings our industry and community together, highlights new offerings, and excites our audience."

E3 2020 was cancelled in late February as a response to the coronavirus pandemic that was then emerging. At that time, ESA said it was "working with members to explore options for coordinating an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020."

Other gaming industry events like the GDC have also been canceled with various companies holding virtual press conferences and talk sessions to discuss what they planned to announce on stage. This happened with both Microsoft and Sony's recent Xbox Series X and PS5 announcements.

The event, dubbed the "reimagining" of E3 2021, will cause much excited speculation among gamers and developers. Critics of E3 have been saying for several years that the format is outdated; it is a fraction of the cost of booking a booth on the LA Convention Center show floor. Now that E3 is allowing fans to purchase tickets in 2017, perhaps E3 2021 will further double down on being a general entertainment event for gamers.

Or perhaps E3 will be more geared toward smaller and indie developers, given that major companies like Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, EA, Bethesda, and others have been holding their own separate events for the past few years. By early next year, we will have a better idea of what E3 2021 will look like.