The Entertainment Software Association is planning to host the 2021 installment of the Electronic Entertainment Expo online. However, for the onine format of E3 2021 to fully come to fruition, ESA will still need to receive backing from major publishers. 

Last year, E3 2020 was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a full shutdown of all large gatherings, events or otherwise. E3 2020 was originally going to pivot to an online format before being cancelled outright to focus on E3 2021. 

According to E3 2021 pitch documents sent to games publishers and seen by Video Games Chronicle, the ESA has now outlined its proposals for this year’s event, which would see three days of live-streamed coverage held during the previously announced dates of June 15-17. However, the E3 2021 plans still require the approval of ESA’s membership, which is made up of the industry’s biggest games companies and who have significant influence over the direction of the show.

It has not been confirmed that E3 2021's physical event has been canceled, but due to the cancellation of E3 2020 being due to COVID-19, it is likely that the full focus of E3 2021 will be digital since the pandemic has only spread throughout Los Angeles in the past calendar year. 

Should the E3 event go ahead as an entirely online exclusive event, they'll be no need for ticket purchases, just tune into the E3 twitch channel. Watching live streams requires a stable internet connection and ideally a fast enough speed to cope at peak times. If you're eagerly waiting for E3 and will be watching online for the first time, you can compare the best broadband deals for streaming to ensure you'll have uninterrupted viewing.

An ESA spokesperson provided the following statement to VGC: "We can confirm that we are transforming the E3 experience for 2021 and will soon share exact details on how we’re bringing the global video game community together. We are having great conversations with publishers, developers and companies across the board, and we look forward to sharing details about their involvement soon.”

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