The E3 digital event for 2022 is officially dead in the water after being canceled as major game announcements move to other avenues.

Gaming insider Will Powers has tweeted that the E3 digital event for 2022 has been officially canceled. Not much was previously known about the event as many of the showcases had not been announced or dated.

Many were left in the dark as to what was going on with E3 digital but this cancellation of the event cuts through the confusion in a decisive manner, with a note of finality.

This excerpt from a Games Radar article on the event does a good job of detailing just how murky the waters were surrounding the event before its cancellation.

“Microsoft and its associated game studios – particularly Bethesda – stole the spotlight at E3 2021, with its showcase being the main highlight of the announcement season.

While it hasn’t confirmed whether it will be a part of the E3 2022 schedule, we’d be very surprised if it doesn’t do some sort of live stream in June – there are rumors that the platform holder is already talking to partners to get “big games” in an E3-style show.

After all, the list of upcoming Xbox Series X games for the rest of the year is looking pretty bare beyond titles like Starfield.

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AdvertisementNintendo has always held a Direct during the E3 window and traditionally announced the date and more details much closer to the event. So, while it hasn’t officially announced it is doing a Direct this June, we’d expect to see something from Ninty soon.

After all, we’re at least due an update on Breath of the Wild 2 ahead of its release later this year.

As for Sony and its PlayStation Studios, it hasn’t done anything with E3 for a number of years now, instead choosing to set its own agenda with its State of Play live streams. We’d be very surprised if that changes this year, so expect PlayStation to skip a June event.

Other publishers that traditionally do their own E3 event include Ubisoft, Devolver Digital, Square Enix, and then smaller streams like the Guerrilla Collective. The indie-focused Wholesome Games has already confirmed a June event.

“Just got an email… It’s official, E3 digital is officially canceled for 2022. Lots of mixed feelings about this…”

Shortly after Power’s tweet an organizer for the Summer Game Fest, Geoff Keighley, Tweeted a winky face followed up by another tweet announcing the event’s return this summer.

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