Ubisoft in a statement today has confirmed that it will be skipping E3, 2023. In a report from Video Games Chronicle, the publisher has said it will not be attending the upcoming event.
That might not seem like a big deal on the surface, but it leaves things in state of uncertainty for what is supposed to be the marquis gaming convention of the year. Or at least, what typically has been the marquis gaming convention of the year for many years in a row. Prior to the pandemic of course.
This comes as other large gaming companies, like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft, have all confirmed they will not be attending either. But what’s more surprising perhaps, is that Ubisoft was supposed to be attending. It confirmed back in February that it did plan to attend the show. And that it would have a presence on the show floor. However, plans have now changed.
Ubisoft will hold its own event before E3
Like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, Ubisoft is forgoing E3 and will turn instead to its own live event to showcase new and upcoming games announcements. The Ubisoft Forward Live event will happen on June 12, the day before E3 starts.
In a statement to VGC, Ubisoft said “While we initially intended to have an official E3 presence, we’ve made the subsequent decision to move in a different direction.” Noting afterward that it would be having the livestream show and that it looks forward to sharing more details soon.
Ubisoft reversing its decision to attend leaves E3 (currently) with no large game companies confirmed to be at the event. Although E3’s new organizer ReedPop does say that AAA companies and indie studios will be there. It doesn’t mention any companies by name though. Just that the full roster of exhibitors would be announced when it gets closer to the event.