After more than 25 years of existence, E3 will not resurface as a physical event following the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-standing E3 game fair, traditionally hosted in Los Angeles, has officially announced its permanent discontinuation. The Entertainment Software Association, the organizing body behind E3, acknowledges the shifting landscape of the gaming industry. Companies now have alternative channels for communication with both fellow enterprises and players. An executive from the Entertainment Software Association stated to the Washington Post, "Companies now have multiple avenues to engage with consumers and business partners, including through their individual showcase events."

In 2018, Sony made the decision to withdraw from the fair entirely. Furthermore, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of several editions, ultimately resulting in the absence of the event in both 2022 and 2023. The Entertainment Software Association had previously indicated that they were assessing the feasibility of continuing the fair.