With so many publishers and developers turning to streaming platforms as a way of previewing the next big games, theꦚ days of presentations taking place on a huge, glamorous stage have seemingly been left behind... for now, at least. This is especially true wit𒉰h E3's absence this summer, which has proven a crying shame.
Nintendo set a precedent a few years back when it decided it wou🅘ld start releas🌌ing presentations in the form of online Directs, designed to showcase upcoming projects in efficient, short snippets. The company ditched E3 in favor of this model, which didn't seem to technically hamper any success on Nintendo's behalf. However, it severed a weirdly tangible connection felt through the power of hosting on-stage presentations at E3, despite the mockery thereof.
Although some had started using the Di🌟rect model, as is the case with Sony's State of Play, the use of streaming presentations truly increased in light of COVID-19. The coronavirus pandemic has understandably caused events like E3, SXSW, Gamescom, GDC, and more to be cancelled. The need to adapt became obvious when the Summer Games Fest was announced, encompassing every online games 🦂presentation during summer, from Sony's Future of Gaming to the Ubisoft Forward to Gamescom.
Now, it can be confidently said that this is not a great model. Whereas Nintendo's Directs were unique for their occasional senses of humor and industry figure cameos (like Reggie Fils-Aime), most other streamed game presentations are little more than montages of game trailers, cinematic✱, and otherwise.
Take, for instance, Gamescom. Led by the charismatic Geoff Keighley, the presentation has mostly consisted of cinematic trailers for games like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Star Wars: Squadrons. There have been appearances from various game studio de🐎velopers. However, they have lacked the general style and friendly informality of Nintendo Directs, which are two of those presentations' finest qualities.
It's difficult not to laugh at some of the more absurd moments from E3 showcases, such as Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney's awkward appearance for The Beatles: Rock Band in 2009 or Keanu Reeves' memorable drop-in for Cyberpunk 2077 in 2019. However, there is an overall energy in physical E3 presentations that simply can't be captured through the online presentati🌸ons that developers have turned to🗹 amid the outbreak.
Of course, some of the gaming ind🀅ustry's most memorable moments occurred during E3 shows. The moment where Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto walked on-stage holding a Master Sword was simply unforgettable and Reggie "My Body Is Ready" Fils-Aime led some of the most iconic segments in E3 history.
The lesson learned here is that E3 presentations work. While E3 2020 didn't – and couldn't – happen this year for the safety and health 💞of the public, it's a style of presentation that should absolutely be continued next year, or at the next available opportunity. The sheer, nearly tangible energy emitted from physical E3 presentations is somet♓hing that can't be replicated through online presentations. Here's to hoping that E3 can make a strong comeback in 2021.