Xbox has confirmed that it will not be on the E3 2023 showfloor, but signaled support for E3’s digital week by confirming that it will be co-streaming the event when it kicks off on June 11.
In a new statement, an Xbox spokesperson told IGN, “We can’t wait to host our Xbox Games Showcase on June 11 and will share more details later. We also look forward to co-streaming our event as part of E3 Digital and will not be on the E3 showfloor.”
IGN first reported that Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo would not be formally taking part in E3 2023. Nintendo has since confirmed that it will be missing E3, while Xbox previously announced in January that it would be “returning to Los Angeles” for its own event. We have reached out to ReedPop for comment on Xbox’s statement.
Xbox’s confirmation was in response to a list of questions sent by IGN on whether it would be taking part in E3’s week of digital events, which was announced yesterday, while asking for more clarity on the nature of its physical event, which did not receive a response from Xbox. E3’s digital week will roughly align with Xbox’s showcase, and will feature streams by Guerilla Collective and other graoups.
Beyond that, participation from AAA exhibitors remains unclear. Yesterday’s announcement simply said, “Exhibitors from AAA companies to indie darlings and tech companies will be announced leading up to the expo.”
Behind the scenes, IGN is hearing that participation continues to be unsettled, and that many publishers are unclear on who will be taking part in the event. Ubisoft has been the clearest in expressing interest in participating in E3, saying that, “If E3 happens, we will be there and we will have a lot of things to show.”
Xbox, for its part, has continued to express support for E3, with CEO Phil Spencer calling it “one of the seminal moments of gaming.”
“Xbox is on the board of the ESA, and I think a successful and healthy ESA is critical to what we’re trying to go do. So we place our showcase, like we always have done, at a time where hopefully it’s convenient for press and even consumers that are going to the E3 event, and that’s what we’re trying to do now,” We will continue to work with ESA in terms of their plans. As I said, we’re on the board, and we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to help make the E3 successful.”
Xbox recently announced that Starfield will release September 6 on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and that it will be hosting a deep dive “Starfield Direct” will more info on June 11.
E3 2023’s physical event, its first since 2019, will be split between business days for professionals and “Gamer Days” for fans. It will take place from June 13 to June 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Disclosure: Kat Bailey is a former ReedPop employee, having previously worked at USgamer from 2014 to 2020.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.