E3: For E3 2020, The ESA Wants To "Shake Things Up"
With Sony already announcing that they will skip E3 for the second year in a row, the ESA and its annual trade show, E3, haven't had the best start to 2020.
But in the wake of Sony withholding the PS5 from the show, the ESA is determined to convince press and attendees that this year will be different. In a new statement, the ESA details how it's listening to criticism from last year's show and teaming up with new partners to "shake things up" in 2020.
"You'll be happy to know that we’re not producing E3 2020 in a vacuum," the statement reads. "For E3 2020, we're collaborating with industry insiders and new creative partners, including the tastemakers at iam8bit.com, to reinvigorate the show and, frankly, to shake things up."
The ESA also addresses the issue of data integrity, following last year's embarrassing leak of attendee information via its website. In order to protect registration information in 2020, the ESA states that it has overhauled its registration process to only require the minimum amount of information required from attendees while also securing captured data far more securely.
"Earning back your trust and support is our top priority," the statement reads.
The rest of the statement, which you can read in full on the ESA's website, again mentions new attendee attractions and shows in vague terms, reiterating ideas around high-profile guests, stage experiences, experiential zones, and more that will "delight the senses." The statement notes that more concrete details will be revealed in the near future.
Microsoft will be attending E3 2020 despite Sony's absence, with Phil Spencer confirming that the Xbox Series X will be the highlight of their show.