E3 is perhaps one of the biggest video game events of the year. It's had a complex history in recent times, but there's plenty to know about the 2021 iteration of the expo. E3 has been running since 1995 and will continue to be the home to some of the biggest breaking news stories in the video gaming world for fans of all genres.
There's a lot to dig into about how this event will function this year, who will actually be taking part, where to find all of the coverage, and most importantly what big announcements could come out of this fan experience unlike any other. Mere months away, there's already some great details out there about what to expect from E3 2021.
The Event Is Taking Place
Last year, due to the ongoing global situation, E3 had to be canceled. It was a tough time for the video game industry and fans were disappointed to see no other plans put in place. As a last-minute decision though it was the right one, to ensure the safety of the whole team involved with the event.
With some better planning and other big events like DC Fandome and Comic-Con to learn from, E3 is back bigger and better than ever in 2021. There might be a few changes to what fans might expect from the event traditionally, but there's no chance of cancellation this year.
Completely Free
Traditionally E3 brings with it some additional costs for fans to enjoy the event in person. After all, the exhibition needs funds to be able to run and with so many staff involved with the experience, tickets and other costs can become quite pricey.
However, so that fans across the world can all enjoy the experience equally, E3 will be completely free. This has also been confirmed by the Entertainment Software Association or ESA who are committed to ensuring that the 2021 iteration will be a more inclusive event.
A Digital Experience
Comic-Con 2020 was just one of the events that demonstrated that the digital medium could be the next best path for these kinds of entertainment expos. Always at the front of technological development, E3 is embracing this new model wholeheartedly.
The official website boasts about fans being able to have exclusive access to content never seen before. With streaming options and various events to take part in, it looks like E3 has a lot of big plans as to how they can bring this experience into the homes of fans worldwide.
Major Brands Will Be Absent
While there is a large list of brands and studios which will be present at E3 and will be mentioned later, there are also some notable absences from the event which may have fans scratching their heads. For starters, Sony has once again bowed out from E3.
Despite having one of the best-selling consoles of the year, the company has experienced success hosting their own personalized events. EA is also still missing from the line-up and it doesn't appear they will be ing in 2021. While these are some big losses, there are plenty of studios who will be present.
A Big Year For Nintendo
Nintendo has made it clear that they will be making their way to E3 in 2021. There's already a lot of great titles that the company could dive into during their own presentation. Pokémon games alone would certainly delight fans.
There have been rumors for some time, though, that Nintendo might have something larger to showcase this year. There are countless reports that the company may be ready to unveil its new version of the Nintendo Switch which fans still don't know all that much about.
Xbox Making An Appearance
Xbox and Microsoft will also be bringing some of their latest titles to showcase. While likely not announcing a new console, the brand will likely have one of the largest amounts of time dedicated to some of its exclusive games and potentially content from other studios.
However, there may be further details on Xbox Cloud Gaming which is sure to revolutionize the console, as well as getting some exciting announcements from Bethesda, a subsidiary of the company. Plus there could even be some Halo or Fables news!
Multiple Gaming Studios Appearing
There is also a long list of gaming studios who will be making an appearance. The official site has confirmed the likes of Warner Bros. Gaming for instance, who may be showing off their new or DC Comics titles. Square Enix is also set to make an appearance.
Alongside these are Capcom, Konami, Koch Media, and even Ubisoft who have a great range of new titles that they may want to showcase at E3 this year. It's also possible that there are a number of other studios who just haven't been announced for the event yet.
Expected Announcements
As previously mentioned, Warner Bros. games have a great number of large titles that they will likely make additional announcements for. The same can be said for Nintendo, who may be bringing out a new console and therefore potentially looking at exclusive titles.
For Ubisoft, Far Cry 6 will likely be the main focal point for the company and Square Enix will feature titles like Final Fantasy while also confirming they have a number of big reveals to make. Most of all though, fans are expecting to hear about the roap for next gen consoles after their successful launches.
Coverage Of The Event
E3 has set up a number of media partners that will help fans access the event. While the official E3 website is a great place to start for coverage of the 2021 showcase, YouTube and Twitch will also be taking on most of the main s and experiences.
IGN, GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, and Polygon are just some of the official places that E3 coverage will be accessible through as part of this digital campaign. Screenrant and sister sites like GameRant and The Gamer will have the latest news on what's happening at E3.
The Dates
E3 is traditionally an event held in summer. While other in-person experiences like New York Comic-Con have been delayed this year, E3 will be moving ahead with its digital experience in June. This is relatively in line with events from the brand in the past.
Saturday the 12th of June will see the start of the event and it will run through till the following Tuesday, the 15th. The coverage will be consistent throughout this time frame and full schedules for the event can be found on the E3 website and will be fleshed out closer to the time.