E3 will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in June

Despite the cancellations previous years and the general uncertainty about its future, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has just announced that the E3 gaming expo will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center as a live event next year. So if you want to brave sweaty crowds of gamers to get a glimpse of upcoming releases, you can finally do it.

The fair will take place from June 13 to 16. Digital events will also be running from June 11 until the end of the convention. E3 2023 will begin with several press and industry days, after which the doors will open for fans to have a good time trying out all the latest games. Convention industry attendees will gather June 13-15, while June 15-16 will be “Gamer Days” for fans. This is similar to how Gamescom short, and should help alleviate the miserable congestion that has plagued E3 since it opened to the public. Although E3 is traditionally an industry-focused event, its organizers are trying to make it friendlier by having a dedicated theater, allowing them to meet developers and host content creators.

Reedpop—the same organizer behind PAX and New York Comic Con—took over the convention last year, and he has big plans for it. “Our vision is to bring the industry together by reviving the traditional E3 week, rekindling that spark, and restoring E3’s role as a truly magical global event for game creators and consumers alike,” said Vice President of Games Kyle Marsden-Kish.

Reedpop has experience running consumer-facing events, but it may have been too optimistic. Editors have already organized their own showcase events for years now, and much of the hype cycle has gone fully or partially digital. Even structurally, game announcements are made sporadically throughout the year instead of focusing around a major annual event in June.

I’m sure E3 will be fine. I’m just not sure if I would call it “magical”. If you plan to go, just make sure you get the latest coronavirus reminder before then.