The Game Awards are Cool, But We Need E3 

The Game Awards recently revealed their nominees. I typically look forward to this event and Summer Game Fest every year, but I can’t shake the feeling that my excitement stems from the void left by the conclusion of E3.

Sometimes, The Game Awards comes across as lacking genuine enthusiasm, seeming more like a routine task rather than a true celebration of gaming. I genuinely feel that the gaming industry deserves its own awards show. However, it should ideally capture the same sense of community that E3 used to inspire.

There was much discussion about Geoff Keighley moving on to create Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards. He had a clear vision, and he brought it to life successfully. It's important to note that he isn't the reason E3 ceased to exist. The decision by the three major companies to hold their own digital events, along with the impact of COVID, also played significant roles in E3's decline.

The issue is that nothing compares to E3. It was the ultimate event for gamers, akin to the Super Bowl. Even when watching it from home, it was an amazing experience. The showcases, the media coverage, and the interactions among fans—everything captured the essence of what I thought gaming was all about when I was younger.

Losing E3 has been a tough blow for many reasons. Even if it wasn't exactly what I expected, it still tried to give off that vibe. In contrast, events like the Game Awards and Summer Game Fest feel very polished and corporate. They don't really have that sense of community among gamers coming together to celebrate their passion for games.

"Embracing Both: There's Space For All"

I believe that having E3 would increase the importance of The Game Awards. A convention for the entire industry in the middle of the year, paired with an awards ceremony at the end of the year, makes perfect sense. We experienced this for a short time, although it was during the latter days of E3 when it was already starting to decline.

I understand that we probably won't see it return. The major three companies are firmly committed to hosting their own digital events. Without their involvement, it becomes challenging to persuade anyone else to join in on organizing something similar. Additionally, both Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards have had great success.

I appreciate both events and want to applaud Geoff for his efforts in organizing them and showcasing the gaming industry in a fresh way. However, I can’t help but feel sad about losing the essence of what E3 stood for. It held significant meaning for a lot of people.