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E3 2020 Canceled: Nintendo Looking Into "Various Ways" To Connect With Fans

Nintendo has supported the ESA's decision to cancel E3, and will find other ways to show off its upcoming slate of games.

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E3 2020 has been officially canceled due to ongoing concerns over large public gatherings being a transmission point for the coronavirus pandemic. Several publishers like Xbox and Ubisoft have issued statements supporting the ESA's decision and sometimes outlining future plans. Nintendo has now joined with its own statement, offering concern for those affected by the outbreak and hinting at its plans going forward without E3.

The full statement from a Nintendo spokesperson:

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Now Playing: E3 2020 Is Officially Canceled - GS News Update

"Nintendo supports the ESA's decision to cancel this year's E3 to help protect the health and safety of everyone in our industry--our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners. We would like to express our concern and support for all those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak during this challenging time.

"We"ll continue to be flexible and redirect our efforts to other ways of keeping our fans up to date about our activities and products. Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, large industry events may be untenable for the foreseeable future. But we are considering various ways to engage with our fans and will have more to share as the year continues."

Nintendo has not addressed if it will debut its E3 Nintendo Direct or host its lengthy Treehouse streams during the week formerly occupied by E3. The ESA has said that it is speaking with its partners about shifting to a digital event this year, but which companies will participate, and how, is still unclear. The ESA has been careful to note that this is a temporary measure, though, claiming that E3 will return in 2021. In the meantime, check out our look back at E3's biggest announcements over the years.

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GambreGoemon

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Nintendo reacting to E3 being cancelled is like a vegan reacting to Mission BBQ being closed.

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sakaiXx

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Both Sony and nintendo already doing a digital event so they are fine with or without E3.

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ConsoleHaven

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Edited By ConsoleHaven

While we don’t know much about Covid-19 I wonder if cancelling an event 3 months from now was necessary? I imagine it was more a now or never scenario to give everyone a chance to cancel their flights and accommodations...

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SystemOverload

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@consolehaven:

Companies were dropping out left and right.

Canceling the event is their way of saying they care, makes E3 look good.

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DarkCaptain3

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@consolehaven: They lost a lot of backers months in advance so it was going to happen regardless. The virus gave them the excuse necessary is all.

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Sepewrath

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I could see them skipped the Treehouse, but I imagine they will do their Direct.

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videogameninja

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Well, this whole thing in theory should have a more minimal effect on Nintendo than say other developers like Microsoft or those expressing a desire to head to the live stage.

I would be somewhat surprised if Nintendo decided to not do their now regular Treehouse stream but with everything being so up in the air as of late anything is possible.

-NINTENDO OR NINTENDON’T? NINJA APPROVED-

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JimClirad

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Poppycock! There is nothing to fear, other than the subject of fear itself! We are stronger than... *cough* *cough*... what was that? *cough* *cough* ... what the?? Everyone needs to get away from me you walking germ bags!! Good idea cancelling it, now if you'll excuse me, I have some Lysol that needs spraying!!!!

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superdoyle1

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How are people supposed to play early demos for unreleased games?

I played Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam at PAX once. Wish it was a better game.

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freedom01

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Edited By freedom01  Moderator

@superdoyle1: well, they (the devs/pubs) can release digital demos so that everyone can download and try it out

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superdoyle1

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@freedom01: If FFVII is any indicator, a good demo, digital or otherwise, can drive up sales like nobody's business.

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SkyHighGam3r

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Nintendo's news drop isn't gonna be too affected. They haven't held a stage show for like 7 years or something. They'll just drop the direct like they always do, and quite frankly, I'm happy others will be doing the same this year.

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Blk_Mage_Ctype

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If only someone had told them that the secret cure for Corona Virus is Toilet Paper! Or at least certainly seems that way based on the sudden shortages of Toilet Paper due to folks stockpiling it.

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alfredojones

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I wouldn't be surprised if the virus is the reason we haven't gotten any Directs as of late. The way it's currently rocking Japan it isn't unlikely that some of Nintendo's own staff may have caught it, which could put a damper on many aspects of their business.

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